Ferro Fluid Piezo Power Generation via Magnetic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combinations of piezo materials with magnetostrictive materials for power generation exhibit limited power output due to restricted elongation of magnetostrictive materials, resulting in insufficient energy production.
Innovation Solution
A ferro fluid with elongated, non-spherical ferro particles is used in conjunction with a piezo device, aligning with magnetic fields to induce linear growth and stress on the piezo material, thereby generating electric power, with the ability to adjust particle dimensions for varying power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If magnetostrictive materials are used to induce stress in piezo material, then power generation is achieved, but the power output is limited due to restricted elongation of magnetostrictive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the magnetic particles by using elongated shapes with aspect ratios of 1:10 to 1:100 instead of conventional spherical or cubic shapes. This parameter change enables the particles to align end-to-end along magnetic field lines, producing significant linear growth (elongation) when magnetized, thereby resolving the limitation of restricted elongation in traditional magnetostrictive materials and achieving higher power generation output from the piezo material.
2Power
If traditional spherical magnetic particles are used in ferro fluid, then random orientation is maintained when no field is present, but linear growth and stress induction is insufficient when field is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies asymmetry by using elongated magnetic particles with aspect ratios of 1:10 to 1:100 instead of spherical particles. This asymmetric shape allows the particles to align end-to-end along magnetic field lines, creating significant linear growth and stress induction capability when the field is applied, while maintaining random orientation when no field is present. The asymmetric geometry is key to achieving both random distribution at rest and aligned stress-inducing configuration under field.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ferro fluid and piezo material combination significantly exceeds power generation capabilities compared to traditional piezo and magnetostrictive material combinations, offering a scalable and adjustable method for electric power production.
Implementation Method 1
When an external magnetic field is applied, the ferro particles align with the magnetic field lines. When the magnetic field is removed, the particles return to random positioning.
Implementation Method 2
The magnetic field causes the longitudinal axis of each of the ferro particles to become aligned with the magnetic lines of the magnetic field and, therefore, aligned with the longitudinal axis of adjacent ferro particles thereby producing linear growth in a group of adjacent particles.
Implementation Method 3
A piezo material is a material that can generate an electrical field in response to mechanical stress.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating electrical energy has a sheet of piezo material with an array of holes formed therein. At least some of the holes are filled with ferro fluid which expands in the holes upon being subjected to a change in magnetic energy. The sheet of piezo material generates an electrical potential in response to applied mechanical strain caused by the expansion of the ferro fluid in the holes of the piezo sheet.