IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v54y2016icp1035-1047.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Micro-scale energy harvesting devices: Review of methodological performances in the last decade

Author

Listed:
  • Selvan, Krishna Veni
  • Mohamed Ali, Mohamed Sultan

Abstract

Power harvesting devices which harness ambient surrounding energies to produce electricity could be a good solution for charging or powering electronic devices. The main advantages of such devices are that they are ecologically safe, portable, wireless, and cost effective and have smaller dimensions. Most of these power harvesting devices are realized by utilizing the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques. In this paper, the capabilities and efficiencies of four micro-power harvesting methods including thermoelectric, thermo-photovoltaic, piezoelectric, and microbial fuel cell renewable power generators are thoroughly reviewed and reported. These methods are discussed in terms of their benefits and applications as well as their challenges and constraints. In addition, a methodological performance analysis for the decade from 2005 to 2014 are surveyed in order to discover the methods that delivered high output power for each device. Moreover, the outstanding breakthrough performances of each of the aforementioned micro-power generators within this period are highlighted. From the studies conducted, a maximum energy conversion of 2500mWcm−2 is reached by thermoelectric modules. Meanwhile, thermo-photovoltaic devices achieved a rise in system efficiency of up to 10.9%. Piezoelectricity is potentially able to reach a volumetric power density of up to 10,000mWcm−3. Significantly in microbial fuel cell systems, the highest power density obtained reached up to 6.86Wm−2. Consequently, the miniaturized energy harvesters are proven to have credibility for the performance of autonomous power generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Selvan, Krishna Veni & Mohamed Ali, Mohamed Sultan, 2016. "Micro-scale energy harvesting devices: Review of methodological performances in the last decade," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1035-1047.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:54:y:2016:i:c:p:1035-1047
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.046
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032115011259
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.046?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wojtas, N. & Rüthemann, L. & Glatz, W. & Hierold, C., 2013. "Optimized thermal coupling of micro thermoelectric generators for improved output performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 746-753.
    2. Hsiao, Y.Y. & Chang, W.C. & Chen, S.L., 2010. "A mathematic model of thermoelectric module with applications on waste heat recovery from automobile engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 1447-1454.
    3. Sheng Xu & Benjamin J. Hansen & Zhong Lin Wang, 2010. "Piezoelectric-nanowire-enabled power source for driving wireless microelectronics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 1(1), pages 1-5, December.
    4. Bianchi, Michele & Ferrari, Claudio & Melino, Francesco & Peretto, Antonio, 2012. "Feasibility study of a Thermo-Photo-Voltaic system for CHP application in residential buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 704-713.
    5. Um, Dong Hyun & Kim, Tae Young & Kwon, Oh Chae, 2014. "Power and hydrogen production from ammonia in a micro-thermophotovoltaic device integrated with a micro-reformer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 531-542.
    6. Li-Dong Zhao & Shih-Han Lo & Yongsheng Zhang & Hui Sun & Gangjian Tan & Ctirad Uher & C. Wolverton & Vinayak P. Dravid & Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, 2014. "Ultralow thermal conductivity and high thermoelectric figure of merit in SnSe crystals," Nature, Nature, vol. 508(7496), pages 373-377, April.
    7. Rama Venkatasubramanian & Edward Siivola & Thomas Colpitts & Brooks O'Quinn, 2001. "Thin-film thermoelectric devices with high room-temperature figures of merit," Nature, Nature, vol. 413(6856), pages 597-602, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Gulfam, Raza & Zhang, Peng & Meng, Zhaonan, 2019. "Advanced thermal systems driven by paraffin-based phase change materials – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 582-611.
    2. Hamlehdar, Maryam & Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Safaei, Mohammad Reza, 2019. "Energy harvesting from fluid flow using piezoelectrics: A critical review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1826-1838.
    3. Wang, Xiang & Chen, Changsong & Wang, Na & San, Haisheng & Yu, Yuxi & Halvorsen, Einar & Chen, Xuyuan, 2017. "A frequency and bandwidth tunable piezoelectric vibration energy harvester using multiple nonlinear techniques," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 368-375.
    4. Ju, Suna & Ji, Chang-Hyeon, 2018. "Impact-based piezoelectric vibration energy harvester," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 139-151.
    5. Xiu Fang Lu & Cheng-Ping Zhang & Naizhou Wang & Dan Zhao & Xin Zhou & Weibo Gao & Xian Hui Chen & K. T. Law & Kian Ping Loh, 2024. "Nonlinear transport and radio frequency rectification in BiTeBr at room temperature," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    6. Lallart, Mickaël & Zhou, Shengxi & Yang, Zhichun & Yan, Linjuan & Li, Kui & Chen, Yu, 2020. "Coupling mechanical and electrical nonlinearities: The effect of synchronized discharging on tristable energy harvesters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    7. Lallart, Mickaël & Yan, Linjuan & Miki, Hiroyuki & Sebald, Gaël & Diguet, Gildas & Ohtsuka, Makoto & Kohl, Manfred, 2021. "Heusler alloy-based heat engine using pyroelectric conversion for small-scale thermal energy harvesting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    8. He, Li & Du, Peng & Chen, Yizhong & Lu, Hongwei & Cheng, Xi & Chang, Bei & Wang, Zheng, 2017. "Advances in microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 388-403.
    9. Zhou, Jiaxi & Zhao, Xuhui & Wang, Kai & Chang, Yaopeng & Xu, Daolin & Wen, Guilin, 2021. "Bio-inspired bistable piezoelectric vibration energy harvester: Design and experimental investigation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    10. Hu, Yili & Yi, Zhiran & Dong, Xiaoxue & Mou, Fangxiao & Tian, Yingwei & Yang, Qinghai & Yang, Bin & Liu, Jingquan, 2019. "High power density energy harvester with non-uniform cantilever structure due to high average strain distribution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 294-304.
    11. Cheng, Tinghai & Fu, Xianpeng & Liu, Wenbo & Lu, Xiaohui & Chen, Xiyan & Wang, Yingting & Bao, Gang, 2019. "Airfoil-based cantilevered polyvinylidene fluoride layer generator for translating amplified air-flow energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 399-407.
    12. E, Jiaqiang & Luo, Bo & Han, Dandan & Chen, Jingwei & Liao, Gaoliang & Zhang, Feng & Ding, Jiangjun, 2022. "A comprehensive review on performance improvement of micro energy mechanical system: Heat transfer, micro combustion and energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    13. Yin, Tao & Li, Zhen-Ming & Peng, Peng & Liu, Wei & Shao, Yu-Ying & He, Zhi-Zhu, 2021. "Performance analysis and design optimization of a compact thermoelectric generator with T-Shaped configuration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    14. Liu, Huicong & Fu, Hailing & Sun, Lining & Lee, Chengkuo & Yeatman, Eric M., 2021. "Hybrid energy harvesting technology: From materials, structural design, system integration to applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    15. Shi, Shuanhu & Li, Peng & Jin, Feng, 2019. "Thermal-mechanical-electrical analysis of a nano-scaled energy harvester," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 862-874.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fitriani, & Ovik, R. & Long, B.D. & Barma, M.C. & Riaz, M. & Sabri, M.F.M. & Said, S.M. & Saidur, R., 2016. "A review on nanostructures of high-temperature thermoelectric materials for waste heat recovery," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 635-659.
    2. Gou, Xiaolong & Ping, Huifeng & Ou, Qiang & Xiao, Heng & Qing, Shaowei, 2015. "A novel thermoelectric generation system with thermal switch," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 843-852.
    3. Wu, Yongjia & Zuo, Lei & Chen, Jie & Klein, Jackson A., 2016. "A model to analyze the device level performance of thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 591-603.
    4. Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Xuan, Yimin, 2018. "A novel optimal design method for concentration spectrum splitting photovoltaic–thermoelectric hybrid system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 519-532.
    5. Kevin Bethke & Virgil Andrei & Klaus Rademann, 2016. "Decreasing the Effective Thermal Conductivity in Glass Supported Thermoelectric Layers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, March.
    6. Fan, Zeng & Zhang, Yaoyun & Pan, Lujun & Ouyang, Jianyong & Zhang, Qian, 2021. "Recent developments in flexible thermoelectrics: From materials to devices," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    7. Massaguer, E. & Massaguer, A. & Montoro, L. & Gonzalez, J.R., 2014. "Development and validation of a new TRNSYS type for the simulation of thermoelectric generators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 65-74.
    8. Zhang, Yaxi & Zhu, Na & Zhao, Xudong & Luo, Zhenyu & Hu, Pingfang & Lei, Fei, 2023. "Energy performance and enviroeconomic analysis of a novel PV-MCHP-TEG system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    9. He, Wei & Zhang, Gan & Zhang, Xingxing & Ji, Jie & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong, 2015. "Recent development and application of thermoelectric generator and cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1-25.
    10. E, Jiaqiang & Luo, Bo & Han, Dandan & Chen, Jingwei & Liao, Gaoliang & Zhang, Feng & Ding, Jiangjun, 2022. "A comprehensive review on performance improvement of micro energy mechanical system: Heat transfer, micro combustion and energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    11. Wu, Sijie & Zhang, Houcheng & Ni, Meng, 2016. "Performance assessment of a hybrid system integrating a molten carbonate fuel cell and a thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 520-527.
    12. Feng, Mengqi & Lv, Song & Deng, Jingcai & Guo, Ying & Wu, Yangyang & Shi, Guoqing & Zhang, Mingming, 2023. "An overview of environmental energy harvesting by thermoelectric generators," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    13. Cui, Tengfei & Xuan, Yimin & Yin, Ershuai & Li, Qiang & Li, Dianhong, 2017. "Experimental investigation on potential of a concentrated photovoltaic-thermoelectric system with phase change materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 94-102.
    14. Aljaghtham, Mutabe & Celik, Emrah, 2020. "Design optimization of oil pan thermoelectric generator to recover waste heat from internal combustion engines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    15. Rui Liu & Guangkun Ren & Xing Tan & Yuanhua Lin & Cewen Nan, 2016. "Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Cu 3 SbSe 3 -Based Composites with Inclusion Phases," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-7, October.
    16. Li, Jun & Huang, Hongyu & Kobayashi, Noriyuki & He, Zhaohong & Osaka, Yugo & Zeng, Tao, 2015. "Numerical study on effect of oxygen content in combustion air on ammonia combustion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 2053-2068.
    17. Srivastava, Raj Shekhar & Kumar, Anuruddh & Thakur, Harishchandra & Vaish, Rahul, 2022. "Solar assisted thermoelectric cooling/heating system for vehicle cabin during parking: A numerical study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 384-403.
    18. Yihua Zhang & Guyang Peng & Shuankui Li & Haijun Wu & Kaidong Chen & Jiandong Wang & Zhihao Zhao & Tu Lyu & Yuan Yu & Chaohua Zhang & Yang Zhang & Chuansheng Ma & Shengwu Guo & Xiangdong Ding & Jun Su, 2024. "Phase interface engineering enables state-of-the-art half-Heusler thermoelectrics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    19. Antonio Rosato & Antonio Ciervo & Giovanni Ciampi & Michelangelo Scorpio & Sergio Sibilio, 2020. "Integration of Micro-Cogeneration Units and Electric Storages into a Micro-Scale Residential Solar District Heating System Operating with a Seasonal Thermal Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-40, October.
    20. Bianchi, M. & De Pascale, A. & Melino, F., 2013. "Performance analysis of an integrated CHP system with thermal and Electric Energy Storage for residential application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 928-938.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:54:y:2016:i:c:p:1035-1047. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.