<p>Piezoelectric energy harvesting has gained significant attention in various engineering fields due to its efficient electromechanical conversion, particularly in the context of sustainability and self-powered systems. While energy harvesters help reduce reliance on batteries, their environmental impact throughout their life cycle remains a concern. Despite extensive research focusing on the modeling, prototyping, and performance enhancement of harvesters, few studies have addressed their environmental footprint. This study conducts a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of piezoelectric energy harvesters manufactured via the screen-printing process by considering two piezoelectric materials. A comparative analysis is performed, taking lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr,Ti)<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="41683_2025_142_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="16" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="20" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\hbox {O}_3\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> (PZT) as the reference material according to lead-free material potassium sodium niobate (K,Na)<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="41683_2025_142_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="16" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="41" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(\hbox {NbO}_3\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> (KNN). The impact assessment is performed using ILCD 2011 method by examining multiple impact categories and identifying the most environmentally burdensome components based on unique scores calculated at the Midpoint. The results indicate that PZT exhibits an overall environmental impact approximately four times greater than that of KNN. Environmental burdens are largely driven by the electrodes, with additional significant contributions from the PZT layer and the stainless-steel substrate. In terms of performance, trade-offs arise: while PZT excels in displacement and short-circuit power, certain KNN variants surpass PZT in open-circuit power generation due to more favorable charge transfer mechanisms. The findings emphasize the critical role of LCA in assessing the sustainability of piezoelectric harvesters and highlight key technical insights and recommendations for ecodesign improvements.</p>

Ecodesign and life cycle assessment of piezoelectric energy harvesters

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年10月27日

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Rabie Aloui,
Barbara Lafarge,
Hélène Debéda,
U.-Chan Chung,
Catherine Elissalde,
Armaghan Salehian,
Soulaymane Temimi,
Raoudha Gaha

摘要

Piezoelectric energy harvesting has gained significant attention in various engineering fields due to its efficient electromechanical conversion, particularly in the context of sustainability and self-powered systems. While energy harvesters help reduce reliance on batteries, their environmental impact throughout their life cycle remains a concern. Despite extensive research focusing on the modeling, prototyping, and performance enhancement of harvesters, few studies have addressed their environmental footprint. This study conducts a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of piezoelectric energy harvesters manufactured via the screen-printing process by considering two piezoelectric materials. A comparative analysis is performed, taking lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr,Ti) \(\hbox {O}_3\) (PZT) as the reference material according to lead-free material potassium sodium niobate (K,Na) \(\hbox {NbO}_3\) (KNN). The impact assessment is performed using ILCD 2011 method by examining multiple impact categories and identifying the most environmentally burdensome components based on unique scores calculated at the Midpoint. The results indicate that PZT exhibits an overall environmental impact approximately four times greater than that of KNN. Environmental burdens are largely driven by the electrodes, with additional significant contributions from the PZT layer and the stainless-steel substrate. In terms of performance, trade-offs arise: while PZT excels in displacement and short-circuit power, certain KNN variants surpass PZT in open-circuit power generation due to more favorable charge transfer mechanisms. The findings emphasize the critical role of LCA in assessing the sustainability of piezoelectric harvesters and highlight key technical insights and recommendations for ecodesign improvements.