Multiferroic 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, alignment difficulties, and scalability issues, particularly at microscale and nanoscale levels, due to the underlying physics and material properties of current methods.

Innovation Solution

Employing a strain-mediated multiferroic composite structure that combines a piezoelectric phase with a magnetostrictive phase, utilizing magnetoelectric coupling to generate an AC magnetic field through mechanical strain mediation, allowing for low-power, scalable, and efficient wireless energy transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional inductive or capacitive wireless energy transfer methods are used, then energy transfer can be achieved, but efficiency is poor and power consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a piezoelectric layer and a magnetostrictive layer. The piezoelectric layer converts electrical energy to mechanical strain, which then induces magnetic field changes in the magnetostrictive layer through magnetostriction. This composite approach enables efficient magnetic field generation with lower power consumption compared to traditional inductive methods, directly addressing the energy efficiency contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic induction (which requires high current through coils) with a mechanically-mediated magnetoelectric coupling system. By using piezoelectric strain to drive magnetostrictive material, the system substitutes direct electromagnetic coupling with a mechanical intermediary, achieving lower power consumption and higher efficiency in magnetic field generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If capacitance-based WET is used to achieve wireless energy transfer, then energy transfer is enabled, but safety concerns arise due to high voltage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless energy transfer capabilityVSAvoidsafety hazards from high voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces high-voltage capacitive coupling with a low-voltage magnetoelectric system. The piezoelectric layer operates at low voltage to generate mechanical strain, which then produces magnetic field changes in the magnetostrictive layer. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for high voltage, maintaining wireless energy transfer capability while removing safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If acoustic energy transfer is used, then wireless energy transfer is achieved, but the elastic media and geometry significantly limit efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless energy transfer capabilityVSAvoidenergy transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces acoustic wave-based energy transfer with direct mechanical strain coupling through magnetostriction. Instead of using sound waves propagating through elastic media (which suffer from attenuation and geometry-dependent efficiency), the system uses direct strain transfer to the magnetostrictive material, eliminating the need for acoustic propagation and associated efficiency losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 multiferroic composite structure enables efficient wireless energy transfer with high magnetoelectric coupling, enabling power generation sufficient to wirelessly power small electronic devices and overcoming limitations of traditional methods.

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

utilizing magnetoelectric coupling to generate an AC magnetic field through mechanical strain mediation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetoelectric coupling:

Data Source

PatentUS12476485B2Low-power high-frequency directional tunable AC magnetic field

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 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.