The investigation of the conversion of vibrational energy into electrical power has become a major field of research. In recent years, bistable energy harvesting devices have attracted significant attention due to some of their unique features. Through a snap-through action, bistable systems transition from one stable state to the other, which could cause large amplitude motion and dramatically increase power generation. Due to their nonlinear characteristics, such devices may be effective across a broad-frequency bandwidth. Consequently, a rapid engagement of research has been undertaken to understand bistable electromechanical dynamics and to utilize the insight for the development of improved designs. This paper reviews, consolidates, and reports on the major efforts and findings documented in the literature. A common analytical framework for bistable electromechanical dynamics is presented, the principal results are provided, the wide variety of bistable energy harvesters are described, and some remaining challenges and proposed solutions are summarized.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0964-1726/22/2/023001/pdf

A review of the recent research on vibration energy harvesting via bistable systems

https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/8882/2/EnergHarv_MagSuspFinal.pdf

Energy harvesting from the nonlinear oscillations of magnetic levitation

Recent progress in flapping wing aerodynamics and aeroelasticity

Introduction. 1. Nonlinear theories of elasticity of plates and shells 2. Nonlinear theories of doubly curved shells for conventional and advanced materials 3. Introduction to nonlinear dynamics 4. Vibrations of rectangular plates 5. Vibrations of empty and fluid-filled circular cylindrical 6. Reduced order models: proper orthogonal decomposition and nonlinear normal modes 7. Comparison of different shell theories for nonlinear vibrations and stability of circular cylindrical shells 8. Effect of boundary conditions on a large-amplitude vibrations of circular cylindrical shells 9. Vibrations of circular cylindrical panels with different boundary conditions 10. Nonlinear vibrations and stability of doubly-curved shallow-shells: isotropic and laminated materials 11. Meshless discretization of plates and shells of complex shapes by using the R-functions 12. Vibrations of circular plates and rotating disks 13. Nonlinear stability of circular cylindrical shells under static and dynamic axial loads 14. Nonlinear stability and vibrations of circular shells conveying flow 15. Nonlinear supersonic flutter of circular cylindrical shells with imperfections.

/pdf/nonlinear-vibrations-and-stability-of-shells-and-plates-4zhg0tiabh.pdf

Nonlinear Vibrations and Stability of Shells and Plates

Nonlinear Oscillations: Exact Solutions and their Approximations

Applied nonlinear dynamics

Perturbation Methods Dynamical Systems and Equilibrium Solutions Dynamic Solutions Tools to Characterize Different Motions Two-to-One Internal Resonances Combination Internal Resonances Three-to-One Internal Resonances Combination Internal Resonances Systems with Quadratic and Cubic Nonlinearities Gyroscopic Systems Systems with More than One Internal Resonance Random Excitations

Applied nonlinear dynamics : analytical, computational, and experimental methods

The authors review theoretical and experimental studies of the influence of modal interactions on the nonlinear response of harmonically excited structural and dynamical systems. In particular, they discuss the response of pendulums, ships, rings, shells, arches, beam structures, surface waves, and the similarities in the qualitative behavior of these systems. The systems are characterized by quadratic nonlinearities which may lead to two-to-one and combination autoparametric resonances. These resonances give rise to a coupling between the modes involved in the resonance leading to nonlinear periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic motions.

Modal Interactions in Dynamical and Structural Systems

In the present study, a computational investigation was carried out to understand the influence of flexibility on the aerodynamic performance of a hovering wing. A flexible, two-dimensional, two-link model moving within a viscous fluid was considered. The Navier-Stokes equations governing the fluid dynamics were solved together with the equations governing the structural dynamics by using a strongly coupled fluid-structure interaction scheme. Harmonic kinematics was used to prescribe the motions of one of the links, thus effectively reducing the wing to a single degree-of-freedom oscillator. The wing's flexibility was characterized by the ratio of the flapping frequency to the natural frequency of the structure. Apart from the rigid case, different values of this frequency ratio (only in the range of 1/2 to 1/6) were considered at the Reynolds numbers of 75, 250 and 1000. It was found that flexibility can enhance aerodynamic performance and that the best performance is realized when the wing is excited by a non-linear resonance at 1/3 of the natural frequency. Specifically, at Reynolds numbers of 75, 250 and 1000, the aerodynamic performance that is characterized by the ratio of lift coefficient to drag coefficient is respectively increased by 28%, 23% and 21% when compared with the corresponding ratios of a rigid wing driven with the same kinematics. For all Reynolds numbers, the lift generated per unit driving power is also enhanced in a similar manner. The wake capture mechanism is enhanced, due to a stronger flow around the wing at stroke reversal, resulting from a stronger end of stroke vortex at the trailing edge. The present study provides some clues about how flexibility affects the aerodynamic performance in low Reynolds number flapping flight. In addition, it points to the importance of considering non-linear resonances for enhancing aerodynamic performance.

/pdf/influence-of-flexibility-on-the-aerodynamic-performance-of-a-14uxidf285.pdf

Balakumar Balachandran

Papers

Applied nonlinear dynamics

Applied nonlinear dynamics : analytical, computational, and experimental methods

Modal Interactions in Dynamical and Structural Systems

Influence of flexibility on the aerodynamic performance of a hovering wing.

Dynamics and stability of milling process