Synthesis and Characterization of Piezo-Magneto Composites : Examining Energy Release of Materials Incorporating Piezoelectric and Magnetic Properties

The last decade has witnessed exponential growth of micro-applications and has exposed the need for smaller sources of energy. The need for more refined ways of energy harvesting and storage is in high demand and has fueled the development of multi-functional materials. MEMS are a technology of the future and are going to keep shrinking and needing energy sources to match their growth. Energy harvesting of renewable energy has been found to meet this criteria but this technology will be required to shrink at the same rate as the physical sizes of the applications, yet remain as efficient. Therefore research observing novel materials and novel methods of actuating these materials for energy generation is vital to balance this growth.