Mini windmills for powering very small devices
There are many applications for remote sensors and other small electronic devices in remote locations without access to the electrical grid, and where batteries may be unsuitable. A group from the University of Texas, Arlington has built a miniature windmill is 10cm (a little less than 4 inches) in diameter and can provide a power output of 7.5 milliwatts in a breeze of 16 km/hour (10 mph).
The novel aspect of this design is in its use of piezoelectric crystals rather than a conventional generator. Piezo crystals generate a voltage when they are deformed, and are commonly found in cigarette lighters and barbeque ignitions. This piezoelectric windmill brushes a series of cymbal-shaped transducers as it rotates to generate electricity.
A conventional generator that used a 10-centimetre turbine would convert only 1% of the available wind energy directly into electricity. A piezoelectric generator ups that to 18%, which is comparable to the average efficiency of the best large-scale windmills, says Priya.
Details are published in
Hyeoung Woo Kim, Amit Batra, Shashank Priay, Kenji Uchino, Douglas Markley,
Robert E. Newnham and Heath F. Hofmann (PDF)
(via Nature)
Tags: offgrid, power, wind, generator, science, piezoelectric
August 1st, 2006 at 1:21 am
Hello I am looking for miniature / desktop wind power generators as gifts in a Forum for a multinational company. Do you sell these items?
Any ideas?
Thanks!
October 28th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
looking for this type generator. can you help?
December 3rd, 2006 at 1:40 pm
I believe that this is not completely true. The piezoelectric actuators are actually the bimorphic cantilever type, not the cymbal as stated above. Also the force is applied via the oscillitory motion provided by the fan’s cam set up and not its rotation.
July 27th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
How many households are using this mini windmill? Can you provide some reference in Australia, UK or India?
Gopal
September 10th, 2007 at 1:42 am
BARIVOLA.RASOLOJAONA ,
Thank you very much sir to send me this precious information and it was arrived on me at good time , because we are at that time trying
to find the the most offer WIND TURBINE thank you again .
First : why you talk about Non Conventional Energy Concepts… please if possible WHY IT was a non conventional energy?.
Second: Please mai I have a large technical description about this MINI WINDMLL
Third : How much we pay for taking one model of this showing ?
fourth: May I have another catalog from you about your material because we are so intrerresting with that
Here in MADAGASCAR the wind energy is a very very big market .
May I have your adress or website
Our real needed :
- POWER REQUIREMENT : Pout: 500watt - 1500 watt
- WIND CRUISE : V = 3m/s - 10m/s
- DC GEN OUTPUT : 12volt - 24volt
- CONVERTER DC/AC 12/24volt TO AC 220Volt Pmax out 3000VA
If possible ,tell us if you have another advise to send me because we have not enough information .
THANK YOU FOR YOUR RAPID RESPONSE BECAUSE OUR PROJECT DEPEND ON YOUR ACTION
barivola.rasolojaona@airmadagascar.com
Phone fix : +261 20 24 309 85
Phone Mob: +261 33 11 145 20
November 26th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Hi
How much do you charge for one of these, we owudl like to experiment with it for a scout group in Ireland.
Best regards
Jane
February 4th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
im looking for this following:
1.concept of small scale windmill
2.structure
3.requirements or materials
4.operation or how to operate a small windmill
5.and the maintenance of the windmill
i hope u understand my research work
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
Will u please help me!
1.concept of small wind Generator
2.structure
3.requirements or materials
4.operation or how to operate a small windmill
5.and the maintenance of the windmill