Generation of electricity using tubular PZT

Currently possible solutions for alternative electric power generation have been the subject of interest of many researchers. More recently, the possibility of generating low power electricity has been studied, being enough to meet the demand of some electronic systems. Systems such as wireless sensors or remote communication which has low power consumption can be benefited. Among various technologies for producing alternative electricity, the use of vibratory energy and deformation of structures can be used to generate electricity. In this conversion, piezoelectric materials that convert mechanical strain energy into electrical energy are employed. Thus, this work presents a characterization study of a piezoelectric material (PZT), Lead Zirconate Titanate, with the purpose of generating electricity. For the characterization experiment a cylindrical PZT was employed, subjected to compression in a cyclic manner in the axial direction. An experimental apparatus was designed and instrumented to capture the force, acceleration, voltage and electric power generated due this piezoelectric cell. Initially simulations were developed in order to guide the experimental set of actions. From the experimental results with a piezoelectric cell, a piezoelectric generator was designed with three cells and characterized. Results of the physical parameters related to the characterization are presented.