Modelling an Micro Thermal Enrergy Harvestor in COMSOL

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on modeling a micro thermal energy harvester using COMSOL software, specifically involving a bimetal strip that converts thermal energy into electrical energy through mechanical deformation. The bimetal strip consists of materials with differing coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), which causes bending when heated, subsequently striking a piezoelectric material to generate electricity. The user seeks guidance on the appropriate studies to conduct, specifically whether to focus on "Piezoelectric Devices" and "Heat Transfer in Solids" or other relevant analyses.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of COMSOL Multiphysics software
  • Knowledge of piezoelectric materials and their applications
  • Familiarity with thermal expansion concepts and coefficients
  • Basic principles of heat transfer and mechanical deformation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "COMSOL Multiphysics Piezoelectric Devices module" for specific modeling techniques
  • Study "Heat Transfer in Solids" within COMSOL for thermal analysis methodologies
  • Explore "Mechanical Deformation in Bimetallic Structures" to understand stress and strain behavior
  • Investigate "Energy Harvesting Techniques" to evaluate different methods of energy conversion
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for postgraduate students in thermal engineering, researchers in energy harvesting technologies, and engineers involved in the design and analysis of piezoelectric devices and thermal systems.

jatin1990
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Good Evening , i am post graduate student of Thermal Engineering.I have some experience to COMSOL software(but not expert atleast). So now i am doing a project on Modelling a Micro thermal energy harvestor. The problem goes something like this , there is strip made up of bimetal ( material of high coefficient of thermal expansion{CTE} on one side and low CTE on other side attached to each other side by side). Bimetal acts as a Simply supported Beam instead of cantilever (attaching snapshot of structure). High CTE material side of the bimetal get in contact with a hot surface and got bend on other side(due to expansion) and strike on the surface of peizoelectric material that is placed next to it on the distance of few millimeters. And then by the natural convection the bimetal got cooled down and come back to its original position(i.e. in contact of the hot surface) and then cycle repeat. So conversion of energy goes like this : Thermal(of hot plate) to Mechanical (of bimetal) and then from Mechanical to Electrical(via piezoelectric material surface).

So now my question is which type of study or studies should i use in this analysis : Piezoelectric Devices + Heat Transfer in Solids or Something else which i am forgetting.
And also any tips for the my study will be much helpful as i am fighting with this problem for last three months.

Thank you so much for your time to understand my problem and then to reply.
 

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