New Achievements in Energy Harvesting by Using Piezoelectric Materials

Dear Colleagues,

With the increasing demand for self-powered and sustainable electronic devices, energy harvesting from ambient sources has recently gained significant attention, and piezoelectric materials offer a promising solution to satisfy that demand. In addition, piezoelectric materials are environmentally friendly and recyclable, and have a relatively long lifespan, making them a sustainable choice for energy harvesting applications.

Piezoelectric energy-harvesting devices can capture energy from various sources, such as human motion, vibrations, and pressure, making them suitable for wearable electronics, wireless sensor networks, and other applications where traditional power sources are impractical or unavailable. Piezoelectric energy harvesters can be integrated into structures, such as buildings, bridges, and pavements, allowing for the harvesting of energy from ambient vibrations and strains, potentially reducing the reliance on traditional power sources. Another aspect of high-energy and constantly available electrical energy sources is the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) and the need for autonomous and self-sustaining sensor networks, both of which have driven research on piezoelectric energy harvesting as a potential solution for powering these devices. Moreover, the potential for miniaturization and the scalability of piezoelectric energy harvesters opens up new opportunities in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMSs) and nano-electromechanical systems (NEMSs).

Based on the above-mentioned information, it is our pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue covering the latest and most interesting research results from both the scientific and industrial communities. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide the reader with a better understanding of energy-harvesting phenomena, paying special attention to latest discoveries and scientific achievements in the field. This area of expertise may utilize analytical models, different numerical methods as well as experimental approaches and applications, with special concern devoted to the latest piezoelectric material discoveries and considering environmental protection, green production, and circular economy requirements in terms of harvesting device production and recycling. We believe that insights from research communities representing a wide area of engineering needs can satisfy the interested scientific audience.

Dr. Magdalena Palacz
Dr. Anastasios C. Patsidis
Guest Editors

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• energy harvesting
• green energy
• piezoelectric materials