This document discusses several types of self-generating sensors:
- Piezoelectric sensors generate voltage when subjected to mechanical stress and can be used to convert vibrations to electricity.
- Thermoelectric sensors convert temperature differences directly into electricity through the Seebeck effect and can harness waste heat.
- Pyroelectric sensors generate voltage in response to temperature fluctuations caused by infrared radiation and are used in motion detectors.
- Photovoltaic cells directly convert visible light into electricity and are a key component of solar power systems.
This document discusses several types of self-generating sensors:
- Piezoelectric sensors generate voltage when subjected to mechanical stress and can be used to convert vibrations to electricity.
- Thermoelectric sensors convert temperature differences directly into electricity through the Seebeck effect and can harness waste heat.
- Pyroelectric sensors generate voltage in response to temperature fluctuations caused by infrared radiation and are used in motion detectors.
- Photovoltaic cells directly convert visible light into electricity and are a key component of solar power systems.
This document discusses several types of self-generating sensors:
- Piezoelectric sensors generate voltage when subjected to mechanical stress and can be used to convert vibrations to electricity.
- Thermoelectric sensors convert temperature differences directly into electricity through the Seebeck effect and can harness waste heat.
- Pyroelectric sensors generate voltage in response to temperature fluctuations caused by infrared radiation and are used in motion detectors.
- Photovoltaic cells directly convert visible light into electricity and are a key component of solar power systems.
This document discusses several types of self-generating sensors:
- Piezoelectric sensors generate voltage when subjected to mechanical stress and can be used to convert vibrations to electricity.
- Thermoelectric sensors convert temperature differences directly into electricity through the Seebeck effect and can harness waste heat.
- Pyroelectric sensors generate voltage in response to temperature fluctuations caused by infrared radiation and are used in motion detectors.
- Photovoltaic cells directly convert visible light into electricity and are a key component of solar power systems.
• The piezoelectric effect describes the relation between a mechanical stress and an electrical voltage in solids.
• It is reversbile: an applied mechanical stress will
generate a voltage and an applied voltage will change the shape of the solid by a small amount. Electric Flux Density
Piezo electric charge coefficient
Thermoelectric sensors • A Thermoelectric materials converts heat (temperature differences) directly into electrical energy through a phenomenon called the Seebeck effect
• Thermoelectric generator, or TEG (also called
a Seebeck generator) is a solid state device that converts heat (temperature differences) directly into electrical energy.
• Thermoelectric generators function like heat engines,
but are less bulky and have no moving parts. However, TEGs are typically more expensive and less efficient. • Thermoelectric materials must have both high electrical conductivity (σ) and low thermal conductivity (κ) to be good thermoelectric materials.
• Having low thermal conductivity ensures that when one side
is made hot, the other side stays cold, which helps to generate a large voltage while in a temperature gradient.
• The measure of the magnitude of electrons flow in response
to a temperature difference across that material is given by the Seebeck coefficient (S). • A thermoelectric module consists of two dissimilar thermoelectric materials joining in their ends: an n-type (negatively charged); and a p-type (positively charged) semiconductors. • A direct electric current will flow in the circuit when there is a temperature difference between the two materials. • V = α∆T
Seebeck coefficient between
100 µV/K and 300 µV/K Applications • Needs a large temperature gradient, which is not easy in real-world applications. – Hot exhaust flue • Heat exchangers are used on both sides of the modules to supply this heating and cooling. • Thermoelectric generators could be used in power plants in order to convert waste heat into additional electrical power and in automobiles as automotive thermoelectric generators (ATGs) to increase fuel efficiency. • Another application is radioisotope thermoelectric generators which are used in space probes, which has the same mechanism but use radioisotopes to generate the required heat difference. Pyroelectric Sensor Pyroelectric sensor • Pyroelectric detectors are thermal detectors: Temperature fluctuations produce a charge change on the surface of pyroelectric crystals, which produces a corresponding electrical signal • This temperature gradient can be created by the absorption of light. • Pyroelectric Infrared Detectors (PIR) convert the changes in incoming infrared light to electric signals. • It is specifically used for detecting electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range from (2 to 14) µm. Pyroelectricity • Pyroelectricity is the ability of certain materials to generate a temporary voltage when they are heated or cooled. • The change in temperature modifies the positions of the atoms slightly within the crystal structure, such that the polarization of the material changes. • This polarization change gives rise to a voltage across the crystal. • f the temperature stays constant at its new value, the pyroelectric voltage gradually disappears due to leakage current. • Pyroelectric detector is a thermal detector working with a thermally isolated chip which is covered by a black absorption coating. • This coating converts the infrared radiation falling on the chip to heat. • The chip changes its temperature in the order of magnitude of µK … mK. • As a result of the pyroelectric effect, produces the electrical signal desired. • Commonly used in pyroelectric detectors: Deuterated Lanthanum α Alanine doped TriGlycine Sulphate (DLaTGS), Lithium Tantalate (LiTaO3) and PZT. Characteristics • High Sensitivity • Versatile selection of IR wavelength filters • Room temperature operation • Low cost • Robust under severe environmental conditions • Stable against ambient temperature and atmospheric changes • Stable against electromagnetic interference Applications • Intrusion sensor • Light control • Temperature measurement • Flame detector • Automatic door switch • Visitor detector • Home security • Life safety Photovoltaic Sensor • A photovoltaic cell (PV cell) is a specialized semiconductor diode that converts visible light into direct current (DC). • Photovoltaic cells are an integral part of solar- electric energy systems, which are becoming increasingly important as alternative sources of utility power. References • Text Book: Sensors and signal conditioning • Text Book: Resistive, Capacitive, Inductive, and Magnetic Sensor Technologies