Efficient Energy Harvesting from Impulsive Forces

Penelope Herrero-Marques
[1] 2.671 Measurement and Instrumentation

Abstract Results
The potential applications of vibration energy harvesting from random vibrations are
wide-ranging, allowing energy to be extracted from day-to-day human activities.
Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesters (PVEHs), which convert vibrational energy 𝑡/𝜏
into electrical energy, offer a promising opportunity. However, PVEHs are typically only
𝜂 =𝐴⋅𝑒
used in systems with repetitive, high frequency vibrations. Response to random force
impulses remains poorly understood. To measure the effects of impulsive forces on
efficiency, a speaker was used to excite a PVEH with acceleration impulses of varying increasing m
durations. Tip mass, which affects PVEH resonant frequency, was increased between
trials. Output voltage was measured using a voltage probe. Increasing tip mass had a
negative effect on harvester efficiency. An exponential relationship between impulse
duration and PVEH efficiency was discovered at the short durations examined.

Experimental Setup

[2]

𝒕𝒅 𝟐
𝟏
𝑬𝒊𝒏 = 𝒎 න 𝒂 𝒕 𝒅𝒕
𝟐 𝟎 Conclusions
Impulse • Exponential relationship between impulse duration and PVEH efficiency
duration
at durations < 20ms
- PVEH efficiency scales down with added mass
- PVEH response time, 𝜏 , decreases with added mass
• Efficiency decreases as tip mass increases

𝑽 𝒕
𝟐 Acknowledgements References
𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕 =න 𝒅𝒕
𝑹𝑳 [1] “Energy Lightbulb Clipart” [Online]. Available: https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/01
Thank you Dr. Hughey and Prof. Deng for all /96/28/22/360_F_196282206_6AWMpUtAKHv8Fktncbyb1FRdCfX2xywu.jpg.
of your guidance and valuable insights [Accessed: 03-Nov-2022].

𝐸𝑜𝑢𝑡 throughout the project. Thank you to all of my [2] “Piezo Vibration Sensor - Large with Mass - SEN-09197 - SparkFun Electronics”
[Online]. Available: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9197. [Accessed: 03-Nov-
𝜂= 6.002 friends for helping me navigate the 2022].

𝐸𝑖𝑛 tricky world of electronics.

December 8, 2022