Maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibility

Abstract Piezoelectric energy harvesting, i.e. the interconversion of electrical and mechanical energy, has the potential to revolutionise how we generate sustainable power for electronic devices. Currently the majority of research into maximising the electrical output of piezoelectrics focuses on t...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Usaid Memon, Eoin P. Hinchy, Sarah Guerin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Communications Materials
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00854-8
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author Muhammad Usaid Memon
Eoin P. Hinchy
Sarah Guerin
author_facet Muhammad Usaid Memon
Eoin P. Hinchy
Sarah Guerin
author_sort Muhammad Usaid Memon
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Piezoelectric energy harvesting, i.e. the interconversion of electrical and mechanical energy, has the potential to revolutionise how we generate sustainable power for electronic devices. Currently the majority of research into maximising the electrical output of piezoelectrics focuses on the material itself i.e. modulating the electromechanical properties via stoichiometry, crystal engineering, deposition technique, etc. Here we take a different approach, demonstrating that for direct force harvesting the base layer onto which piezoelectrics are mounted has a huge impact on the voltage output of commercial piezoelectric transducers. We almost triple the open-circuit voltage output of a small piezoelectric array from 2.8 to 7.5 Volts by changing the flexibility of the material they are adhered to. As well as conventional base layer materials we use a variety of 3D-printed geometries, which offer a low-cost and efficient method for controlling the dynamics of a piezoelectric-based interface. The goal is that by demonstrating this phenomenon using widely used lead-based piezoelectrics, that it can be utilised for increasing the power output of sustainable alternatives.
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spelling doaj-art-9e2b163874b942c2a80ec4bfa8ef76922025-08-20T03:45:31ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Materials2662-44432025-07-016111510.1038/s43246-025-00854-8Maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibilityMuhammad Usaid Memon0Eoin P. Hinchy1Sarah Guerin2Department of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of LimerickSchool of Engineering, Bernal Institute, University of LimerickDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Bernal Institute, University of LimerickAbstract Piezoelectric energy harvesting, i.e. the interconversion of electrical and mechanical energy, has the potential to revolutionise how we generate sustainable power for electronic devices. Currently the majority of research into maximising the electrical output of piezoelectrics focuses on the material itself i.e. modulating the electromechanical properties via stoichiometry, crystal engineering, deposition technique, etc. Here we take a different approach, demonstrating that for direct force harvesting the base layer onto which piezoelectrics are mounted has a huge impact on the voltage output of commercial piezoelectric transducers. We almost triple the open-circuit voltage output of a small piezoelectric array from 2.8 to 7.5 Volts by changing the flexibility of the material they are adhered to. As well as conventional base layer materials we use a variety of 3D-printed geometries, which offer a low-cost and efficient method for controlling the dynamics of a piezoelectric-based interface. The goal is that by demonstrating this phenomenon using widely used lead-based piezoelectrics, that it can be utilised for increasing the power output of sustainable alternatives.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00854-8
spellingShingle Muhammad Usaid Memon
Eoin P. Hinchy
Sarah Guerin
Maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibility
Communications Materials
title Maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibility
title_full Maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibility
title_fullStr Maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibility
title_full_unstemmed Maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibility
title_short Maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibility
title_sort maximizing the voltage output of piezoelectric arrays via base layer compatibility
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00854-8
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AT sarahguerin maximizingthevoltageoutputofpiezoelectricarraysviabaselayercompatibility