Modelling and analysis of various piezo fibre geometries on the piezoelectric properties for energy scavenging applications

The phenomenon of piezoelectricity has been applied in many fields, with one of the significant uses being energy harvesting. With increased usage of on-person devices and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), the requirement for powering these devices has also increased. Currently, conventional batteries are the main power source; however the parasitic weight, limited lifespan, and toxicity of batteries present serious concerns for users and environmentalists. One alternative power source could be incorporated into the garment using piezoelectric fibres - providing a continuous, green source of energy to the user. Here, we present a finite element analysis of an idealised polyvinylidene-fluoride (PVDF) wearable textile using the Representative Volume Element (RVE) approach. The RVE model consisted of PVDF fibres attached between flexible electrodes and exhibited a nonlinear increase in power ouput due to similar increase in number of fibres. A parametric analysis was then carried out on the effect of fibre angle, thickness, linear density, and poling directions on output power at lower frequencies (1 - 2 Hz), with the results discussed in the context of the intended fabric applications.