Three parallel algorithms for classical molecular dynamics are presented. The first assigns each processor a fixed subset of atoms; the second assigns each a fixed subset of inter-atomic forces to compute; the third assigns each a fixed spatial region. The algorithms are suitable for molecular dynamics models which can be difficult to parallelize efficiently—those with short-range forces where the neighbors of each atom change rapidly. They can be implemented on any distributed-memory parallel machine which allows for message-passing of data between independently executing processors. The algorithms are tested on a standard Lennard-Jones benchmark problem for system sizes ranging from 500 to 100,000,000 atoms on several parallel supercomputers--the nCUBE 2, Intel iPSC/860 and Paragon, and Cray T3D. Comparing the results to the fastest reported vectorized Cray Y-MP and C90 algorithm shows that the current generation of parallel machines is competitive with conventional vector supercomputers even for small problems. For large problems, the spatial algorithm achieves parallel efficiencies of 90% and a 1840-node Intel Paragon performs up to 165 faster than a single Cray C9O processor. Trade-offs between the three algorithms and guidelines for adapting them to more complex molecular dynamics simulations are also discussed.

Fast parallel algorithms for short-range molecular dynamics

High-Performance Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters and Their Applications

More than a decade of research in the field of thermal, motion, vibration and electromagnetic radiation energy harvesting has yielded increasing power output and smaller embodiments. Power management circuits for rectification and DC-DC conversion are becoming able to efficiently convert the power from these energy harvesters. This paper summarizes recent energy harvesting results and their power management circuits.

Micropower energy harvesting

This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on a hot topic in the literature, i.e., vibration based energy harvesting techniques, including theory, modelling methods and the realizations of the piezoelectric, electromagnetic and electrostatic approaches. To minimize the requirement of external power source and maintenance for electric devices such as wireless sensor networks, the energy harvesting technique based on vibrations has been a dynamic field of studying interest over past years. One important limitation of existing energy harvesting techniques is that the power output performance is seriously subject to the resonant frequencies of ambient vibrations, which are often random and broadband. To solve this problem, researchers have concentrated on developing efficient energy harvesters by adopting new materials and optimising the harvesting devices. Particularly, among these approaches, different types of energy harvesters have been designed with consideration of nonlinear characteristics so that the frequency bandwidth for effective energy harvesting of energy harvesters can be broadened. This paper reviews three main and important vibration-to-electricity conversion mechanisms, their design theory or methods and potential applications in the literature. As one of important factors to estimate the power output performance, the energy conversion efficiency of different conversion mechanisms is also summarised. Finally, the challenging issues based on the existing methods and future requirement of energy harvesting are discussed.

A comprehensive review on vibration energy harvesting: Modelling and realization

The last decade has witnessed significant advances in energy harvesting technologies as a possible alternative to provide a continuous power supply for small, low-power devices in applications, such as wireless sensing, data transmission, actuation, and medical implants. Piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) has been a salient topic in the literature and has attracted widespread attention from researchers due to its advantages of simple architecture, high power density, and good scalability. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the state-of-the-art of piezoelectric energy harvesting. Various key aspects to improve the overall performance of a PEH device are discussed, including basic fundamentals and configurations, materials and fabrication, performance enhancement mechanisms, applications, and future outlooks.

A comprehensive review on piezoelectric energy harvesting technology: Materials, mechanisms, and applications

Energy harvesting from transverse ocean waves by a piezoelectric plate

Ocean wave energy harvesting with a piezoelectric coupled buoy structure

Experimental studies on damage detection of beam structures with wavelet transform

An energy harvester comprising a cantilever attached to piezoelectric patches and a proof mass is developed for wind energy harvesting, from a cross wind-induced vibration of the cantilever, by the electromechanical coupling effect of piezoelectric materials. The vibration of the cantilever under the cross wind is induced by the air pressure owing to a vortex shedding phenomenon that occurs on the leeward side of the cantilever. To describe the energy harvesting process, a theoretical model considering the cross wind-induced vibration on the piezoelectric coupled cantilever energy harvester is developed, to calculate the charge and the voltage from the harvester. The influences of the length and location of the piezoelectric patches as well as the proof mass on the generated electric power are investigated. Results show that the total generated electric power can be as high as 2 W when the resonant frequency of the cantilever harvester is close to the vortex shedding frequency. Moreover, a value of total generated electric power up to 1.02 W can be practically realized for a cross wind with a variable wind velocity of 9–10 m s−1 by a harvester with a length of 1.2 m. This research facilitates an effective and compact wind energy harvesting device.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0964-1726/22/9/095023/pdf

Nan Wu

Papers

Energy harvesting from transverse ocean waves by a piezoelectric plate

Ocean wave energy harvesting with a piezoelectric coupled buoy structure

Experimental studies on damage detection of beam structures with wavelet transform

Wind energy harvesting with a piezoelectric harvester

Potential of a piezoelectric energy harvester from sea waves