Low frequency wireless powering of microsystems using piezoelectric-magnetostrictive laminate composites

This paper presents anew wireless powering technique for microsystems based on low frequency (<100 Hz) excitation of a piezoelectric-magnetostrictive laminate (i.e., magnetoelectric effect). The laminate composites subjected to a magnetic field have been used to generate an electric voltage (up to 285 V). Adequate power levels (10-80 muW) for many microsystem applications have been generated by inserting a piezoelectric PZT sheet between two highly magnetostrictive Terbium Dysprosium Iron alloy (Terfenol-D) layers (strains of the order of 10(-3) at 2-3 kG). Comparing with other remote powering techniques, this method possesses much higher voltage generation efficiency per generator volume. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.