George W. Taylor
Papers
1
Total Citations
645
H-Index
1
About
George W. Taylor is a pioneering figure in energy harvesting, best known for his groundbreaking work on converting ambient fluid motion into electrical power using piezoelectric materials. His most celebrated contribution is the invention of the "Energy Harvesting Eel," detailed in his highly influential 2001 paper (645 citations). This device ingeniously exploits the von Kármán vortex street—the regular trail of vortices shed behind a bluff body in a flow—to strain piezoelectric polymers, thereby generating electricity from the mechanical energy of oceans and rivers. Taylor’s research sits at the intersection of fluid dynamics, materials science, and renewable energy, offering a novel, low-impact approach to powering remote sensors and underwater devices. Beyond the Eel, his work has laid foundational principles for flow-energy harvesting, inspiring a generation of researchers in sustainable power generation. With over 600 citations on this single paper alone, Taylor’s impact is clear: he transformed a niche concept into a vibrant research field, demonstrating how biomimetic design can unlock clean energy from our planet’s most abundant flows.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1The Energy Harvesting Eel: a small subsurface ocean/river power generator645 citations · 2001