This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on a hot topic in the literature, i.e., vibration based energy harvesting techniques, including theory, modelling methods and the realizations of the piezoelectric, electromagnetic and electrostatic approaches. To minimize the requirement of external power source and maintenance for electric devices such as wireless sensor networks, the energy harvesting technique based on vibrations has been a dynamic field of studying interest over past years. One important limitation of existing energy harvesting techniques is that the power output performance is seriously subject to the resonant frequencies of ambient vibrations, which are often random and broadband. To solve this problem, researchers have concentrated on developing efficient energy harvesters by adopting new materials and optimising the harvesting devices. Particularly, among these approaches, different types of energy harvesters have been designed with consideration of nonlinear characteristics so that the frequency bandwidth for effective energy harvesting of energy harvesters can be broadened. This paper reviews three main and important vibration-to-electricity conversion mechanisms, their design theory or methods and potential applications in the literature. As one of important factors to estimate the power output performance, the energy conversion efficiency of different conversion mechanisms is also summarised. Finally, the challenging issues based on the existing methods and future requirement of energy harvesting are discussed.

A comprehensive review on vibration energy harvesting: Modelling and realization

A novel nonlinear mechanical oscillator and its application in vibration isolation and energy harvesting

A nonlinear energy sink with an energy harvester: Harmonically forced responses

Parametric study and optimization of linear and nonlinear vibration absorbers combined with piezoelectric energy harvester

In the paper, beneficial nonlinearities incurred by an X-shape structure are explored for advantageous vibration energy harvesting performance. To this aim, a nonlinear structure beneficial for vibration energy harvesting is proposed, which is composed by X-shape supporting structures and a rigid body. By designing structure nonlinearities, which are determined by several key structure parameters, the power output peak of the harvesting system can be much improved and the effective frequency bandwidth for energy harvesting can be obviously increased, especially at the low frequency range. A coupling effect can be created among nonlinear stiffness and damping characteristics by constructing a 2-DOF vibration system, which has great influence on the energy harvesting performance. The proposed nonlinear energy harvesting systems can obviously outperform the corresponding linear systems in the whole frequency range and also demonstrate advantages compared with some other existing nonlinear energy harvesting systems in the literature. The results in this study provide a novel and practical method for the design of effective and efficient energy harvesting systems (especially in the low frequency range).

G. Pechoto Melo

Papers

An investigation into the simultaneous use of a resonator as an energy harvester and a vibration absorber