A magnetostrictive system in structural elements of buildings converts vibrations into electrical power through the phenomenon of magnetostriction. Magnetostriction is a property exhibited by certain materials wherein they change their shape or dimensions in response to a magnetic field. This effect is reversible, meaning that when subjected to mechanical stress or vibration, the material experiences a change in its magnetic properties.
The process involves several steps:
Magnetostrictive Material: The structural elements of the building, such as beams or columns, are embedded or coated with a magnetostrictive material. Commonly used materials include Terfenol-D and Galfenol, which have strong magnetostrictive properties.
Mechanical Stress/Vibration: When the building is subjected to vibrations or mechanical stress, the magnetostrictive material within the structural elements experiences a change in its shape or dimensions due to the magnetostrictive effect.
Induction Coils: Within the magnetostrictive material, there are also induction coils or coils of wire wound around the material. These coils serve as the means to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Magnetic Field Changes: As the magnetostrictive material deforms or changes shape, it creates fluctuations in the magnetic field around it.
Induced Electrical Current: The fluctuations in the magnetic field induce an electrical current in the nearby induction coils due to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. The rate of change of the magnetic field generates a voltage across the coils.
Harvesting Electrical Power: The induced electrical current is then harnessed and collected as electrical power, which can be used for various applications, such as powering sensors, monitoring systems, or storing in batteries for later use.
The magnetostrictive system essentially converts the mechanical energy generated by vibrations in the building's structural elements into electrical energy by exploiting the magnetostrictive properties of the embedded material and the principle of electromagnetic induction. This technology is a form of energy harvesting, which aims to capture and utilize otherwise wasted energy to make buildings more efficient and sustainable.