Solar Energy Harvester: Design and Optimization of MEMS-based Micro-Cantilever

What is it about?

This paper proposes a micro-cantilever based solar energy harvester that converts solar energy into electrical voltage using a MEMS solar cell. The MEMS solar cell utilizes the coefficient of thermal expansion and piezoelectric effect. The cantilever is made of two different materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, which creates stress at the fixed end when exposed to solar radiation, converting mechanical energy to electrical potential using a piezoelectric material. The paper compares different shapes of bilayer cantilevers for maximum stress distribution and selects the triangular shape for optimization. The optimized structure with maximum stress uses AlN as the piezoelectric material. The proposed solar cell is small in size and cost-effective, making it a promising alternative to conventional photovoltaic cells. [Some of the content on this page has been created by AI]

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Why is it important?

This research is important because it proposes a design for a micro-cantilever based solar energy harvester that converts solar energy into electrical voltage using a MEMS solar cell. This innovative approach addresses the limitations of conventional photovoltaic cells, which are large in size, require an inverter, and are less economical. Key Takeaways: 1. The micro-cantilever based solar energy harvester uses the principle of coefficient of thermal expansion and piezoelectric effect to convert solar energy into mechanical energy and then into electric potential. 2. The design consists of a bilayer cantilever made of two different materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, which allows for efficient stress generation and voltage generation. 3. The proposed solar cell is small in size, cost-effective, and capable of generating voltage, making it a promising alternative to conventional photovoltaic cells.