Wave Propagation in Elliptic Graphene Sheet for Energy Harvesting

Abstract Wave propagation of elliptic graphene sheets was investigated using the molecular dynamic (MD) simulation method for efficient energy harvesting. The displacement wave propagation pattern, wave focusing, and energy transportation of elliptic graphene sheets with different aspect ratios under various loading conditions are comprehensively studied. Results show that displacement wave energy concentrates at focal points of the elliptic graphene under impulse loadings. And the wave propagation patterns of elliptic graphene under the impulse and sinusoidal loading are different because of different frequency components in the loading. Compared with rectangular graphene sheets, elliptic graphene sheets can harvest more energy at the lower and upper focal points when line impulse loadings act at different locations. Moreover, the energy harvesting time of elliptic graphene is less than that of rectangular graphene for gathering the same amount of kinetic energy. It is found that the energy harvesting efficiency of elliptic graphene sheets outperforms those of rectangular graphene sheets with three aspect ratios, demonstrating the superiority of elliptic graphene sheets for energy harvesting. The elliptic graphene sheet with an aspect ratio of 2 has the optimal kinetic energy harvesting performance by considering both the energy harvesting time and efficiency. Our findings will be valuable for designing and fabricating the emerging two-dimensional material-based energy harvesters, mass sensors, and gas detectors.