Magnetoelectric Composite for Low-Power AC Magnetic Energy Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing near-field wireless energy transfer technologies based on capacitive, inductive, or acoustic principles face limitations such as poor efficiency, safety concerns, and scalability issues, particularly at the microscale and nanoscale, due to the underlying physics and material properties of current methods.

Innovation Solution

Employing a strain-mediated multiferroic composite structure that utilizes magnetoelectric coupling between a piezoelectric and a magnetostrictive phase to generate an AC magnetic field through mechanical strain, allowing for wireless energy transfer without the need for electrical currents, and enabling scalability from macroscale to nanoscale.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If magnetic induction-based WET is used to transfer wireless energy, then energy transfer capability is improved, but power consumption increases and scalability to microscale/nanoscale deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless energy transfer capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional electromagnetic induction mechanism (requiring large alternating currents) with a magnetoelectric coupling mechanism that uses mechanical strain as the intermediate mediator. The piezoelectric layer converts applied mechanical strain into electrical polarization, which then induces magnetic field changes in the magnetostrictive layer, achieving wireless energy transfer with significantly reduced power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters from high-current electromagnetic induction to low-power magnetoelectric coupling. By utilizing the coupled piezoelectric-magnetostrictive effect, the system operates at much lower power levels while maintaining energy transfer capability, enabling scalability to microscale and nanoscale devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional WET methods are used, then energy transfer is achieved, but efficiency deteriorates due to physical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transfer capabilityVSAvoidtransfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of piezoelectric and magnetostrictive layers coupled together. This composite material approach enables direct magnetoelectric coupling with high efficiency, transforming mechanical strain directly into magnetic field variations without the energy losses associated with conventional electromagnetic induction methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Use of energy by moving object

If magnetoelectric composites are used for wireless energy transfer, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the device into distinct functional layers: a piezoelectric layer and a magnetostrictive layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function (electromechanical coupling and magnetomechanical coupling, respectively) while simplifying the overall design and fabrication process compared to attempting to use single-material multiferroics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If single-material multiferroics are used, then device simplicity is improved, but coupling efficiency deteriorates at temperatures above freezing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcoupling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials consisting of separate piezoelectric and magnetostrictive phases rather than single-material multiferroics. This composite approach maintains high magnetoelectric coupling efficiency at room temperature and above, overcoming the temperature limitations of single-material multiferroic systems while preserving structural simplicity through the layered composite design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 proposed solution achieves efficient wireless energy transfer with low power consumption and alignment-free operation, capable of powering small electronic devices, and extends the applicability of magnetoelectric composites beyond conventional limitations.

Implementation Method 1

A first layer provides a piezoelectric phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a second layer provides a magnetostrictive phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetostriction: Magnetostriction

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetoelectric coupling: Magnetoelastic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS20260066701A1Low-power high-frequency directional tunable ac magnetic field

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY (SDSU) FOUNDATION

AI summary

Apparatus for near-field wireless energy transfer. A first layer provides or comprises a piezoelectric phase or a material with or adapted for electromechanical coupling; and a second layer provides or comprises a magnetostrictive phase or a material with or adapted for a magnetomechanical coupling. The second layer is mechanically and/or chemically coupled to the first layer to provide a composite structure.