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Vibration energy scavenging via piezoelectric bimorphs of optimized shapes

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Abstract

Compact autonomous power sources are one of the prerequisites for the development of wireless sensor networks. In this work vibration energy harvesting via piezoelectric resonant bimorph beams is studied. The available analytical approaches for the modeling of the coupled electromechanical behavior are critically evaluated and compared with a finite element (FEM) numerical model. The latter is applied to analyze thoroughly the stress and strain states, as well as to evaluate the resulting voltage and charge distributions in the piezoelectric layers. The aim of increasing the specific power generated per unit of scavenger volume is pursued by optimizing the shape of the scavengers. Two optimized trapezoidal configurations are hence identified and analyzed. An experimental set-up for the validation of the proposed numerical model and of the obtained optimized structures is developed. Results of a preliminary experimental assessment, confirming the improved performances of optimized scavengers, are finally given.

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported by the “TECH-UP” project for the development of pervasive technologies of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Italy, the “Ultra-high precision compliant devices for micro and nanotechnology applications” project of the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports and the “Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Compliant Mechanisms for Micro- and Nanomechanical Applications” project of the Italian Ministry of University and Research. The authors wish to acknowledge also the important contribution of Mr. Elvio Castellarin in the execution of the experimental measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical, Management and Mechanical Engineering (DIEGM), Tech-UP Laboratory, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 208, 33100, Udine, Italy

    Denis Benasciutti, Luciano Moro & Saša Zelenika

  2. Laboratory for Precision Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering Design, Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, Vukovarska 58, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia

    Saša Zelenika

  3. Laboratory of Microsystems Design and Characterization, Department of Mechanics, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Torino, Italy

    Eugenio Brusa

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  1. Denis Benasciutti
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  2. Luciano Moro
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  3. Saša Zelenika
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  4. Eugenio Brusa
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Correspondence to Saša Zelenika.

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Benasciutti, D., Moro, L., Zelenika, S. et al. Vibration energy scavenging via piezoelectric bimorphs of optimized shapes. Microsyst Technol 16, 657–668 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-009-1000-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-009-1000-5

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