title: Temperature field analysis for PZT pyroelectric cells for thermal energy harvesting.
abstract: This paper proposes the idea of etching PZT to improve the temperature variation rate of a thicker PZT sheet in order to enhance the energy conversion efficiency when used as pyroelectric cells. A partially covered electrode was proven to display a higher output response than a fully covered electrode did. A mesh top electrode monitored the temperature variation rate and the electrode area. The mesh electrode width affected the distribution of the temperature variation rate in a thinner pyroelectric material. However, a pyroelectric cell with a thicker pyroelectric material was beneficial in generating electricity pyroelectrically. The PZT sheet was further etched to produce deeper cavities and a smaller electrode width to induce lateral temperature gradients on the sidewalls of cavities under homogeneous heat irradiation, enhancing the temperature variation rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Design Engineering, National Formosa University, No. 64, Wunhua Rd., Huwei Township, Yunlin County 632, Taiwan. cchsiao@nfu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Chun-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Jing-Chih
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ciou
authors.forename: An-Shen
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Siao
authors.forename: Chi-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee