• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.182-190
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• 1996

A macerating technique which can apply to the mechanical production system of the agricultural by-product was developed to increase the utilization of agricultural waste and solve the shortage problem in the forage supply for the livestock production. The macerating method is to shred the agricultural by-product by the two rolls which rotate at different speeds each other. The testing macerator was built and the optimum operating conditions are suggested. Results of this research are as follows: 1. The increase of the base roll speed and speed ratio between two rolls shows the better shredding index but decrease the drying rate. The optimum conditions of the base roll speed and the speed ratio between two rolls for the rice straw are 1200 rpm and 1.7-2.0 respectively. 2. The macerated alfalfa was dried to the 15%(w.b.) within 3 hrs in a field at speed ratio of rolls, 2:1 and base roll speed, 1800rpm. 3. The milled surface and straight knurled surface for the macerating roll have same effect on the drying rate of material. Both rolls have self-cleaning functions during operation.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2015

Purpose: Slow manual harvesting of rain-fed chickpeas cultivated in fallow fields in developing countries have encouraged the design of a mechanical harvester. Methods: A tractor-pulled harvester was built, in which a modified stripper header detached pods from an anchored plant and a chain conveyor transferred material. The stripper harvester was redesigned to use: 1) the maneuverability of tractor-mounted frames, 2) the adaptability of floating headers, and 3) the flexibility of pneumatic conveyors. Results: A mobile vacuum conveyor, which was an innovator open system, was designed for the dilute phase transferring mode for both grain and material other than grain. A centrifugal fan transferred harvested material to a cyclone separator that settled harvested material in a grain tank 1 m high. The machine at the spot work rate of $0.42ha{\cdot}h^{-1}$ harvested chickpea pods equal to the output of 16.6 farm laborers. Conclusion: The low cost and reasonable projected purchase price are the advantages of the concept. Additionally, the shattering loss reduction confirms the feasibility of the prototype chickpea harvester for commercialization.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.473-480
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• 2013

A new concept design of electromagnetic energy harvester is proposed for powering a tire pressure monitoring sensor (TPMS). The thin coil strap is attached on the circumferential surface of a rim and a permanent magnet is placed on the brake caliper system. When the wheel rotates, the relative motion between the magnet and the coil generates electrical energy by electromagnetic induction. The generated energy is stored in a storage unit (rechargeable battery, capacitor) and used for TPMS operation and wireless signal transmission. Innovative layered design of the strap is provided for maximizing energy generation. Finite Element Method (FEM) and experiment results on the proposed design are compared to validate the proposed design; further, the method for design improvement is discussed. The proposed design is excellent in terms of durability and sustainability because it utilizes the everlasting rotary motion throughout the vehicle life and does not require material deformation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.315-316
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• 2008

On this paper, piezoelectric generators using piezoelectric ceramics were designed and fabricated. Generators were made by attaching cymbal type metal plates on upper and bottom sides of a disc type piezoelectric ceramic. Generator converts wasting mechanical energy to electrical energy. Output voltage was increased when thickness of ceramic and displacement of vibration were increased. Temperature of the ceramic was increased when it generates, but the temperature rising was saturated at certain temperature.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2013

This paper presents structural topology optimization that is being applied for the design of electromagnetic vibration energy harvester. The design goal is to maximize the root-mean-square value of output voltage generated by external vibration leading structures. To calculate the output voltage, the magnetic field analysis is performed by using the finite element method, and the obtained magnetic flux linkage is interpolated by using Lagrange polynomials. To achieve the design goal, permanent magnet is designed by using topology optimization. The analytical design sensitivity is derived from the adjoint variable method, and the formulated optimization problem is solved through the method of moving asymptotes (MMA). As optimization results, the optimal location and shape of the permanent magnet are provided when the magnetization direction is fixed. In addition, the optimization results including the design of magnetization direction are provided.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1550-1553
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• 2020

In this paper, we maximize the lifetime of a multi-hop path through a cooperative wireless energy sharing scheme between constituent nodes in a wireless multi-hop communication. Considering a bidirectional multi-hop communication environment, we present an optimization problem to maximize path lifetime by adjusting the amount of energy each node needs to share with its neighboring nodes. On the basis of solidarity property, i.e., the lifetime of the multi-hop path is maximized when the lifetimes of all nodes are the same, we convert the considered optimization problem into a linear programming problem and solve it easily. Simulation result shows that the proposed two-way wireless energy sharing method maximizes the path lifetime of multi-hop communications and approximately doubles the path lifetime compared with the one-way energy sharing method.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.203-214
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• 2022

Thermoelectric (TE) heating and cooling devices, which are able to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy and vice versa, are effective and have exhibited a potential for energy harvesting. With the increasing consumer demands for various wearable electronics, organic-based TE composite materials offer a promise for the TE devices applications. Conductive polymers are widely used as flexible TE materials replacing inorganic materials due to their flexibility, low thermal conductivity, mechanical flexibility, ease of processing, and low cost. In this review, we briefly introduce the latest research trends in the flexible TE technology and provide a comprehensive summary of specific conductive polymer-based TE material fabrication technologies. We also summarize the manufacture for high-efficiency TE composites through the complexation of a conductive polymer matrix/inorganic TE filler. We believe that this review will inspire further research to improve the TE performance of conductive polymers.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2022

Thermoelectric materials can reversely convert heat and electricity into each other; therefore, they can be very useful for energy harvesting from heat waste. Among many thermoelectrical materials, SnSe exhibits outstanding thermoelectric performance along the particular direction of a single crystal. However, single-crystal SnSe has poor mechanical properties and thus it is difficult to apply for mass production. Therefore, polycrystalline SnSe materials may be used to replace single-crystal SnSe by overcoming its inferior thermoelectric performance owing to surface oxidation. Considerable efforts are currently focused on enhancing the thermoelectric performance of polycrystalline SnSe. In this study, we briefly review various enhancement methods for SnSe thermoelectric materials, including doping, texturing, and nano-structuring. Finally, we discuss the future prospects of SnSe thermoelectric powder materials.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.293-300
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• 2022

Flexible, wearable, and implantable electronic sensors have started to gain popularity in improving the quality of life of sick and healthy people, shifting the future paradigm with high sensitivity. However, conventional technologies with a limited lifespan occasionally limit their continued usage, resulting in a high cost. In addition, traditional battery technologies with a short lifespan frequently limit operation, resulting in a substantial challenge to their growth. Subsequently, utilizing human biomechanical energy is extensively preferred motion for biologically integrated, self-powered, functioning devices. Ideally suited for this purpose are piezoelectric energy harvesters. To convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, devices must be mechanically flexible and stretchable to implant or attach to the highly deformable tissues of the body. A systematic analysis of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) for personalized healthcare is provided in this article. This article briefly overviews PENGs as self-powered sensor devices for energy harvesting, sensing, physiological motion, and healthcare.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.391-401
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• 2020

The present article reports the feasibility of the electrical energy generation from ambient low-frequency vibration using a piezoelectric material mounted on a bimorph cantilever beam actuator. A corresponding higher-order analytical model is developed using MATLAB in conjunction with finite element method under low-frequency with both damped and undamped conditions. An alternate model is also developed to check the material and dimensional viability of both piezoelectric materials (mainly focussed to PVDF and PZT) and the base material. Also, Genetic Algorithm is implemented to find the optimum dimensions which can produce the higher values of voltage at low-frequency frequencies (≤ 100 Hz). The delamination constraints are employed to avoid inter-laminar stresses and to increase the fracture toughness. The delamination has been done using a Teflon sheet sandwiched in between base plates and the piezo material is stuck to the base plate using adhesives. The analytical model is tested for both homogenous and isotropic material characteristics of the base material and extended to investigate the effect of the different geometrical parameters (base plate dimensions, piezo layer dimensions and placement, delamination thickness and placement, excitation frequency) on the model responses of the bimorph cantilever beam. It has been observed that when the base material characteristics are homogenous, the efficiency of the model remains higher when compared to the condition when it is of isotropic material. The necessary convergence behaviour of the current numerical model has been established and checked for the accuracy by comparing with available published results. Finally, using the results obtained from the model, a prototype is fabricated for the experimental validation via a suitable circuit considering Glass fibre and Aluminium as the bimorph material.