Eelectric
Energy Harvesting from
Laminar Fluid Flow
Don Jenket
Kathy Li
Peter Stone
George Waksman
Introduction
There is often a need for electrical energy
where power lines cannot go
Fluid flow is a persistent energy source
even in the most remote locations
We seek to fulfill the need for electricity in
remote locations by creating a portable
device to convert the mechanical energy
of fluid flow into electrical energy
February 12, 2004
Eelectric
Energy Harvesting
Eel Program
Creates vorticity
from laminar flow
Vortices create
waves in the tail of
the device
Mechanical waves
in the tail are
converted to
electrical energy
February 12, 2004
http://www.darpa.mil/dso/trans/energy/pa_opt.html
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Project Materials
Piezoelectric Polymer
Flow/Wave Tank
Electrical Circuitry
Water Barrier
Electronic Component Housing
February 12, 2004
Eelectric
Piezoelectricity
A property exhibited by certain materials
that serves to couple mechanical strain
and electric field
The result of retained electrical poling
within a material
Can be used to interconvert mechanical
and electrical energy
February 12, 2004
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Choice of
Piezoelectric Material
http://web.media.mit.edu/~testarne/TR328/node7.html
February 12, 2004
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Design Modifications
Size & shape of barrier
Material for Barrier
Electrodes
Vortex deflectors
Size & shape of tail
Possible layering of piezoelectrics
February 12, 2004
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Risks & Uncertainties
Obtaining sufficient power

What is the minimum water velocity
needed to generate waves within a given
sample?
Sample durability
Fatigue failure
 Environmental degradation

February 12, 2004
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Testing and Simulation
Dielectric Constant
Young’s Modulus & Elasticity
Fatigue Testing
DSC for Glass Transition Temperature
Contact Angle Measurements
Simulate turbulent water environment
February 12, 2004
Eelectric
Project Goal
To produce between 0.5 W and 1 W of
power in gently flowing water
Enough Power to light a LED
 Gently flowing velocity ~ 2 m/s

Secondary Goal: Ability of generate
power over a range of fluid velocities
February 12, 2004
Eelectric
Project Timeline
2/10
2/17
2/24
3/2
3/9
3/16
Electroded piezoelectronic sample
Obtain PVDF
Investigate electrode technology
Attach electrodes to PVDF
Preliminary measurements
Build Prototype
Electronic Circuitry
Environmental Protection
Contrsuct Housing/Barrier
Test Prototype
Non-water testing
Water Tank Testing
Output measurement
Optimizing Prototype
Build Prototype II
Test protoype II
Prepare Demo
Final Presentation
February 12, 2004
Eelectric
3/23
3/30
3/16
4/6
4/13
4/20
4/27
5/4
5/11