Piezoelectric Energy Harvester

Based on piezoelectricity, energy harvesters can be used for decentral energy supply. CeSMA offers two approaches based on different material classes:  
 

Piezoceramic thin films

These harvesters need only small volumes and can be processed on flexible stainless steel films. They address applications with high mechanical robustness and can operate in thermal conditions up to 160 °C.

 

Piezopolymers

These polymeric films can be used when the thermal budget during processing is low (< 100 °C). The longtime operation temperature is slightly above 80 °C. They can be applied on a variety of temperature sensitive substrates including plastic films or even paper. It is also a way to bypass the use of lead as needed for piezoceramic harvesters.

 

Large scale printed PVDF-based energy harvesters
© Fraunhofer ISC
Large scale printed PVDF-based energy harvesters by roll-to-roll coating (Substrate width: 30 cm)
Piezoelectric cantilever for energy harvesting
© Fraunhofer ISC
Piezoelectric cantilever for energy harvesting (length 10 cm)
Piezoelectric thin film for Energy Harvesting
© Fraunhofer ISC
Piezoelectric thin film for Energy Harvesting
(50 x 50 mm²)

Advantages compared to piezoceramic bulk harvesters


  • Application on objects with curvature in the range of mm
  • Bendability (10 Mio cycles @ 0,1 % strain for piezoceramic thin films)
  • Small construction cross section, very thin (some µm)


  • Less (piezoeceramic films) / no lead (PVDF)
  • High mechanical robustness
  • Non corrosive


  • Large areas (dm²)
  • Low cost (10 ct/1 cm²)
  • Typical energy to be harvested is in the range of 100 µJ/cm²

 

Our competences

  • Simulation and design of energy harvesters
  • Material adaptation of active harvester materials
  • Prototyping of energy harvesters
  • Combination with additional harvesting concepts (thermoelectric, triboelectric, magnetostrictive)

Our offer

  • Development of harvester solutions according to the specifications of customers
  • Improvement of materials needed for energy harvesting
  • Feasibility studies about small series production
  • Life time testing