Analysis and modeling of a piezoelectric energy harvester stimulated by β-emitting radioisotopes

Abstract

The analysis, modeling, and validation of a piezoelectric energy harvester utilizing a radioisotope source are presented and discussed. The device employs tritiated silicon as a radioisotope source to drive the charging and actuating cycles of the piezoelectric cantilever. Tritiated silicon emits energetic β particles which lead to charge partition, creating an electrostatic force between the tritiated substrate and the piezoelectric cantilever. Due to this continuous charge-discharge procedure, vibrational cycles are generated in the piezoelectric cantilever. The energy from the piezoelectric capacitor is appropriately rectified to provide electrical power to a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The modeling results have been analyzed and compared with the available experimental results, showing a very good agreement. Thus, the analytical and modeling study can be applied to optimize piezoelectric energy harvester designs.