Waste Heat Harvesting

See Related: Energy Engineering Materials Research

IAN MCKINLEY

University of California at Los Angeles

Years in Grad School: 2

Waste Heat Harvesting using PLZT Ceramics

Waste heat can be directly converted into electrical energy by performing the Olsen cycle on lanthanum doped lead zirconate titanate (x/65/35 PLZT) ceramics. The Olsen cycle consists of two isothermal and two isoelectric field processes in the electric displacement versus electric field diagram. A maximum energy density of 888 J/L per cycle was achieved with a 290 µm thick 8/65/35 PLZT sample for temperatures between 25 and 160 C and electric fields cycled between 0.2 and 7.5 MV/m. A maximum power density of 55 W/L was obtained at 0.125 Hz for operating temperatures between 3 and 140 C and the electric field cycled between 0.2 and 6.0 MV/m. To the best of our knowledge, these are the largest pyroelectric energy and power densities experimentally measured with multiple cycles. The electrical breakdown strength and therefore the energy and power densities of the material increased as the sample thickness was reduced. Furthermore, the electrode material was found to have no significant effect on the energy and power densities for samples subject to the same operating temperatures and electric fields. However, samples with electrode material possessing thermal expansion coefficients similar to that of PLZT were capable of withstanding larger temperature swings. Finally, a physical model for estimating the energy harvested by ferroelectric relaxors was further validated against experimental data for a wide range of electric fields and temperatures.

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Waste Heat Harvesting using PLZT Ceramics

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Judges’ Queries (10) Discussion (14)

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Presentation Discussion

Joshua Shapiro

Graduate Student

May 22, 2012 | 01:47 a.m.

Great video Ian!
Ronald Michalsky

Project Associate

Ronald's video »

May 22, 2012 | 07:18 p.m.

That´s an interesting concept. Is there a rationale for the materials choice? For example, did you or did previous research assess the lanthanum doping as beneficial via trial and error or is there a physical or chemical reasoning that lead to lanthanum or the lanthanides?
Martha Hamamoto

Guest

May 22, 2012 | 09:02 p.m.

Very impressive.
Amanda Lounsbury

Guest

May 22, 2012 | 10:12 p.m.

Nice presentation! What kind of efficiencies are you looking for? I was just discussing harnessing energy associated with waste heat with a friend the other day!
Steven Cook

Guest

May 22, 2012 | 10:27 p.m.

Waste heat is used to generate electricity at some industrial facilities. Many opportunities exist to deploy this cogeneration at other facilities. It sounds like this technology could make cogeneration more practical and cost-effective, contributing to making electricity generation more energy-efficient.
Ann Harakawa

Guest

May 22, 2012 | 11:43 p.m.

Love your info graphics
Michael Waite

Graduate Student

Michael's video »

May 23, 2012 | 04:10 p.m.

Really nice video and poster. Interesting work!
David Carpenter

Guest

May 23, 2012 | 11:48 p.m.

Educational & Impressive
Mariko Walton

Project Coordinator

May 24, 2012 | 12:12 p.m.

Nice presentation and breaking down of concepts so that even those from non-science backgrounds can comprehend.
Amanda Lounsbury

Guest

May 25, 2012 | 10:55 a.m.

This is a great presentation!
David Carpenter

Guest

May 25, 2012 | 10:58 a.m.

Educational & Impressive!
Caroline Matter

Guest

May 26, 2012 | 02:51 p.m.

nicely done Ian - hope you win!
Virgil Meeker

Guest

May 27, 2012 | 12:23 a.m.

Go for it, reads like a winner
Karyn Kaplan

Guest

May 27, 2012 | 04:56 p.m.

Thanks for designing something to reduce greenhouse gas production, air pollution and improve public health, conservation efforts, and ultimately reducing costs. It is so brilliant to see a young mind critically thinking for the future of the world and betterment of society…way to go Ian! Good luck with your poster.
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