Pyroelectric energy harvesting from power electronic substrates

Energy harvesting from available resources can lead to implementation of more controlling and actuating devices for industrial internet of things (IIoT). Energy harvesting from temperature fluctuations in power electronic devices by pyroelectric materials is a key solution to achieve self-powered sensor systems. In this study, performance of a pyroelectric energy harvester (PEH), utilized as a dielectric substrate in power electronic modules, is investigated. Accordingly, a comprehensive analytical model is developed in MATLAB software, and the theoretical results are validated with experimental data. The results of this study show that, the pyroelectric substrate can harvest an average power of 50 µW/cm². Effect of amplitude and frequency of input heat, cooling density, and load resistance over PEH are studied. The results reveal that, frequency of the input heat rate higher than 2 Hz does not have a sensible impact on the power generation by the pyroelectric module. Convective cooling density with low heat transfer coefficients led to higher power generation. On the contrary, it can cause operating at higher temperature than the Curie temperature. The energy harvesting concept developed, for the first time, in this study shows significant potential of pyroelectric direct bonded copper substrate to provide self-powered sensors for IIoT in a vast range of power electronic applications.