26.4 Emerging applications and market trends

Piezoelectric energy harvesting is making waves in emerging tech. From powering IoT devices and wearables to enabling smart cities and biomedical implants, this tech is revolutionizing how we generate and use energy in small-scale applications.

The market for piezoelectric energy harvesting is growing fast. With a projected value of $667 million by 2026, it's finding its way into industries like automotive and aerospace. As the tech improves, it's opening doors for new applications in developing countries and remote areas.

Emerging Applications

Internet of Things and Wearable Technology

Top images from around the web for Internet of Things and Wearable Technology

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  Wearable Energy-Harvesting Device Generates Energy from Arm Movement - Science news - Tasnim ... View original

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  Ultra-Wideband Systems with Energy Harvesting Units for Sensors, 5G, IoT and Medical Systems View original

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  Frontiers | Adaptive Extreme Edge Computing for Wearable Devices View original

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  Wearable Energy-Harvesting Device Generates Energy from Arm Movement - Science news - Tasnim ... View original

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  Ultra-Wideband Systems with Energy Harvesting Units for Sensors, 5G, IoT and Medical Systems View original

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Top images from around the web for Internet of Things and Wearable Technology

• 

  Wearable Energy-Harvesting Device Generates Energy from Arm Movement - Science news - Tasnim ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Ultra-Wideband Systems with Energy Harvesting Units for Sensors, 5G, IoT and Medical Systems View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Adaptive Extreme Edge Computing for Wearable Devices View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Wearable Energy-Harvesting Device Generates Energy from Arm Movement - Science news - Tasnim ... View original

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• 

  Ultra-Wideband Systems with Energy Harvesting Units for Sensors, 5G, IoT and Medical Systems View original

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• Internet of Things (IoT) revolutionizes connectivity by enabling everyday objects to send and receive data
  • Encompasses smart home devices, industrial sensors, and agricultural monitoring systems
  • Facilitates real-time data collection and analysis for improved decision-making
• Wearable technology integrates electronic devices into clothing and accessories
  • Includes fitness trackers, smartwatches, and augmented reality glasses
  • Monitors health metrics, provides personalized notifications, and enhances user experiences
• Both IoT and wearables benefit from piezoelectric energy harvesting
  • Reduces reliance on traditional batteries
  • Enables self-powered operation in remote or hard-to-reach locations

Smart Cities and Structural Health Monitoring

• Smart cities utilize interconnected technologies to improve urban living
  • Incorporates traffic management systems, energy-efficient lighting, and waste management solutions
  • Piezoelectric sensors in roads harvest energy from vehicle vibrations to power nearby systems
• Structural health monitoring assesses the condition of buildings and infrastructure
  • Employs sensors to detect changes in structural integrity (bridges, skyscrapers, pipelines)
  • Piezoelectric sensors generate power from ambient vibrations for continuous monitoring
• Both applications leverage data analytics and machine learning for predictive maintenance
  • Reduces maintenance costs and improves safety
  • Optimizes resource allocation in urban environments

Biomedical Implants and Energy Harvesting

• Biomedical implants advance healthcare through internal monitoring and treatment
  • Includes pacemakers, cochlear implants, and glucose monitors
  • Piezoelectric materials harvest energy from body movements to power these devices
• Energy harvesting techniques for biomedical applications
  • Utilize natural body processes (heartbeats, breathing) as energy sources
  • Reduce the need for invasive battery replacement surgeries
• Challenges in biomedical energy harvesting
  • Ensuring biocompatibility of materials
  • Maximizing energy output while minimizing device size

Autonomous Systems

Self-Powered Sensors and Energy-Neutral Systems

• Autonomous sensors operate independently without external power sources
  • Harvest energy from their environment (vibrations, temperature gradients, light)
  • Enable long-term deployment in remote or hazardous locations
• Energy-neutral systems maintain a balance between energy consumption and harvesting
  • Adapt their operation based on available energy
  • Optimize performance to ensure continuous operation
• Applications of autonomous systems
  • Environmental monitoring in forests or oceans
  • Industrial equipment condition monitoring
  • Agricultural sensors for precision farming

Advancements in Autonomous System Design

• Improvements in low-power electronics extend operational lifetimes
  • Utilize ultra-low-power microcontrollers and sensors
  • Implement sleep modes and duty cycling to conserve energy
• Integration of multiple energy harvesting technologies
  • Combines piezoelectric with solar or thermoelectric harvesting
  • Increases resilience and adaptability to different environments
• Development of energy-aware algorithms and protocols
  • Optimizes data transmission and processing based on available energy
  • Implements adaptive sampling rates to balance information gathering and energy consumption

Market Trends

Market Growth and Industry Adoption

• Market growth projections for piezoelectric energy harvesting
  • Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) estimated at 4.3% from 2021 to 2026
  • Global market value expected to reach $667 million by 2026
• Industry adoption rates vary across sectors
  • Automotive industry leads in adoption for tire pressure monitoring systems
  • Aerospace sector increasingly uses piezoelectric harvesters for structural health monitoring
• Factors driving market growth
  • Increasing demand for self-powered wireless sensors
  • Growing focus on sustainable and renewable energy solutions

Emerging Markets and Technological Advancements

• Emerging markets in developing countries
  • Rapid urbanization creates opportunities for smart city applications
  • Off-grid energy solutions drive adoption in remote areas
• Technological advancements influencing market trends
  • Improved piezoelectric materials with higher energy conversion efficiency
  • Miniaturization of harvesting devices for wearable and implantable applications
• Challenges affecting market growth
  • High initial costs compared to traditional power sources
  • Need for standardization in energy harvesting technologies
  • Competition from other energy harvesting methods (solar, thermoelectric)