On the Effectivenes of Vibration-based Energy Harvesting

Date

2005

Authors

Roundy, Shadrach

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Sage Publications Inc

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in the research on vibration-based energy harvesting in recent years. Most research is focused on a particular technology, and it is often difficult to compare widely differing designs and approaches to vibration-based energy harvesting. The aim of this study is to provide a general theory that can be used to compare different approaches and designs for vibration-based generators. Estimates of maximum theoretical power density based on a range of commonly occurring vibrations, measured by the author, are presented. Estimates range from 0.5 to 100mW/cm3 for vibrations in the range of 1-10 m/s2 at 50-350 Hz. The theory indicates that, in addition to the parameters of the input vibrations, power output depends on the system coupling coefficient, the quality factor of the device, the mass density of the generator, and the degree to which the electrical load maximizes power transmission. An expression for effectiveness that incorporates all of these factors is developed. The general theory is applied to electromagnetic, piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, and electrostatic transducer technologies. Finally, predictions from the general theory are compared to experimental results from two piezoelectric vibration generator designs.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: Electric loads; Electric power transmission; Electrostatics; Energy efficiency; Magnetoresistance; Piezoelectric devices; Vibrators; Effectiveness; Electrostatic transducers; Energy scavenging; Vibration-based energy harvesting; Electric generators Effectiveness; Efficiency; Energy harvesting; Energy scavenging; Vibrations

Citation

Source

Journal of Intelligent Material Sustems and Structures

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

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2037-12-31