Abstract

Comparing the Efficiency of Energy Transfer and Entropy Mixing in Coupled Mechanical and Electrical Oscillators

Author(s): Sophie Relish

Utilizing variable capacitors, electrostatic energy harvesters transform kinetic energy into electrical energy. Lack of knowledge of the upper limit for energy conversion efficiency hinders efforts to increase power production. The theoretical maximum conversion efficiency of heat engines is inextricably linked to entropy and the second law of thermodynamics. To set a conversion efficiency limit, it may be required to lay the groundwork for comparable ideas for kinetic energy harvesters. Thus, for the first time, the mixing entropy notion from statistical mechanics is used to describe the energy transfer between linked mechanical-electrical oscillators.