Energy Harvesting and Storage Devices: Sustainable Materials and Methods

This paper provides an overview of energy harvesting research, focusing on current state-of-the-art techniques and materials for this application. It showcases the potential of renewable and sustainable energy sources for energy harvesting and discusses the recent trends in flexible and wearable energy storage devices. The paper also highlights the interdisciplinary research efforts needed to transform conceptual ideas into working prototypes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Energy harvesting is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to revolutionize the way we generate and use energy. It involves the capture and conversion of energy from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, and thermal energy into usable electricity. This technology has numerous applications, including powering remote devices, providing electricity to underserved communities, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

One of the key challenges in energy harvesting is the efficient conversion of energy into electricity. This requires the development of advanced materials and technologies that can capture and store energy in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. Researchers are exploring a wide range of harvesting mechanisms, including photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, and electrochemistry. Photovoltaics, for example, convert sunlight into electricity by using solar cells made of semiconductor materials. Thermoelectrics, on the other hand, convert heat into electricity by using materials that have a high electrical resistance when heated.

Another area of research in energy harvesting is flexible and wearable energy storage devices. These devices are designed to power small electronic devices, such as sensors and wearable technology, and can be integrated into clothing, fabrics, and other materials. Flexible and wearable energy storage devices are particularly useful in IoT-based smart devices, where energy consumption is a major concern.

State-of-art research in energy harvesting is focused on the design and development of energy harvesting devices. Researchers are exploring new materials and technologies that can improve the efficiency and durability of energy harvesting devices, as well as developing new harvesting mechanisms that can capture energy from a wider range of sources.

In addition to the research conducted in academia, energy harvesting is also being developed by industry partners. Companies such as Samsung, Apple, and Google are investing in energy harvesting technologies to power their products and reduce their carbon footprint.

Energy harvesting has the potential to transform the way we generate and use energy. It offers a sustainable and renewable alternative to traditional energy sources, and can help to reduce our environmental impact. However, there are still many challenges to be overcome before energy harvesting can become a widespread technology.

One of the challenges is the scalability of energy harvesting. While energy harvesting can provide small amounts of electricity for individual devices, it is not yet capable of providing large amounts of electricity for large-scale applications. This requires the development of more efficient and cost-effective energy harvesting technologies that can be scaled up to meet the needs of communities and industries.

Another challenge is the integration of energy harvesting into existing power systems. Energy harvesting devices need to be integrated into existing power grids in a way that is safe, reliable, and cost-effective. This requires the development of smart grid technologies that can manage the flow of energy between energy harvesting devices and the power grid.

In conclusion, energy harvesting is a rapidly growing field that has the potential to revolutionize the way we generate and use energy. It offers a sustainable and renewable alternative to traditional energy sources, and can help to reduce our environmental impact. However, there are still many challenges to be overcome before energy harvesting can become a widespread technology. By continuing to invest in research and development, we can overcome these challenges and realize the full potential of energy harvesting.

Weight: 760g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032375083