A novel optimized design of an energy harvester using magnetoelectric transducers

Abstract

Energy harvesting mechanisms are becoming a trend in scientific projects which are related to small devices and wireless sensors. Among different energy harvesters, those which use vibration to harvest energy, have attracted attention recently. Magnetoelectric (ME) transducers are one of the newest mechanisms which can convert vibration energy to electrical energy. Frequency bandwidth and maximum output power are the two main features of energy harvesters, and almost based on these features, harvesters are designed. In this paper, a novel optimized design for ME harvester is proposed. First, the nonlinear finite element model of the proposed novel harvester is presented and validated. Then, the detailed design of the harvester is presented, and an optimization process based on a genetic algorithm is performed to improve the performance of the harvester. Finally, frequency bandwidth and output power of the optimized harvester are investigated, and also, the effect of variation in load resistance on its performance is studied. According to the obtained results, the proposed harvester will achieve a continuous frequency bandwidth of 14 Hz and maximum output power of 3.7 mW under the excitation amplitude of 0.1 mm.