An innovative solar energy conversion technique for sustainable building

• Main Author: Goh, Guan Cheng
• Other Authors: Zheng Yuanjin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/71892
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The global consumption level of non-renewable energy will continue increasing in coming years, largely due to population growth and technological advancement. This overconsumption has in turn driven up the cost non-renewable energy, and enhanced the risk of threats to the environment and economy. Accordingly, there has been an increasing focus in piezoelectric transducer research – a result of a higher demand for power sources for low energy electronics, such as remote controls, LED signage and small battery-charging ports. The aim of this software-based final year project is to establish a possible link between acoustical pressures generated from the optical region of electromagnetic (EM) spectrum and piezoelectric sensor technology. The main component of this project involves learning and familiarising the student with COMSOL Multiphysics 5.1, a Finite Element Modelling simulation software, through experiments on piezoelectric materials. This provides a practical understanding of the principles behind piezoelectric energy generation and sensing, as well as the principles behind the photoacoustic effect. Through theoretical simulation and research, the student was able to gain better understand the principle behind these topics. By harnessing the pressures generated from photoacoustic effect, it should be possible to convert these acoustical vibrations into electrical signals, via piezoelectric transducers. The student acquired a new useful skill of effectively running software simulation which would be a valuable skill for the future.