Powering Remote Sensors Using Non-traditional Micro-power Generation
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department Seminar Series
Mohammed F. Daqaq
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Micro-power generators (MPGs) are compact, scalable, cheap, and easy-to-maintain energy harvesting devices that can capture and transform the smallest amounts of available wasted ambient energy into electricity. When embedded with electronic devices, these generators provide a continuous power supply permitting an autonomous operation process. Within the vast field of micro-power generation, vibratory and flow energy harvesting has recently flourished as major thrust areas. Various devices have been developed to transform mechanical motions directly into electricity by exploiting the ability of active materials and electromechanical transduction mechanisms to generate an electric potential in response to mechanical stimuli and external vibrations.
This talk introduces two novel concepts for micro-power generation: (i) an electromagnetic liquid-state vibratory energy harvester, which utilizes the sloshing of magnetized ferrofluids to transform mechanical vibrations into electricity, and (ii) a flow energy harvester inspired by music-playing harmonicas that create tones via oscillations of reeds when subjected to air flow. The presentation focuses on the basic physics of the operation concept of these two devices and builds the fundamental models necessary to evaluate and maximize their transduction efficiency.
Biosketch
Dr. Mohammed F. Daqaq received his B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2001, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech in 2003, and 2006, respectively. In 2006, he joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University as an Assistant Professor and went through the ranks to become a tenured Associate Professor in 2012. Dr. Daqaq’s research focuses on the application of various nonlinear phenomena to improve the performance of micro-power generation systems, micro-electromechanical systems, and vibration assisted manufacturing processes. Dr. Daqaq’s research is funded through several grants from the National Science Foundation including the prestigious 2010 CAREER award. His research has also been recognized at the national level through several awards including the 2014 Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award from the ASME Aerospace division, the 2014 Eastman Chemical Award for research excellence, and the 2012 Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Faculty Excellence. He currently serves as the chair of the ASME Aerospace Division, Adaptive Structures and Material Systems Branch (ASMS) and the Associate Editor of the ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics.