Electromagnetic impact vibration energy harvesters

Abstract

Vibration energy harvesting is the focus of extensive research as an alternative power source for low-power electronic devices. First generation of vibration energy harvesters were based on linear oscillators designed to harvest vibrations in a narrow band in the vicinity of their natural frequency. However, in environments where vibrations are random or distributed over a wide spectrum, those harvesters prove ineffective. In this chapter, we present a new architecter for nonlinear vibration energy harvesters, namely the ‘Springless’ vibration energy harvesting, that can effectively harvest vibrations over a wide bandwidth and at low levels of vibration. It employs impact oscillators as the harvesting element. We study, characterize, and qualify the performance of those harvesters experimentally, analytically, and numerically.