A comprehensive review on vibration energy harvesting: Modelling and realization
Abstract: 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.
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TL;DR: A comprehensive review of piezoelectric energy-harvesting techniques developed in the last decade is presented, identifying four promising applications: shoes, pacemakers, tire pressure monitoring systems, and bridge and building monitoring.
720 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review on the state-of-the-art of piezoelectric energy harvesting is presented, including basic fundamentals and configurations, materials and fabrication, performance enhancement mechanisms, applications, and future outlooks.
Abstract: The last decade has witnessed significant advances in energy harvesting technologies as a possible alternative to provide a continuous power supply for small, low-power devices in applications, such as wireless sensing, data transmission, actuation, and medical implants. Piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) has been a salient topic in the literature and has attracted widespread attention from researchers due to its advantages of simple architecture, high power density, and good scalability. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the state-of-the-art of piezoelectric energy harvesting. Various key aspects to improve the overall performance of a PEH device are discussed, including basic fundamentals and configurations, materials and fabrication, performance enhancement mechanisms, applications, and future outlooks.
513 citations
TL;DR: The challenging issues and research gaps that remain unresolved are addressed, some recommendations regarding such challenges are stated for further research and the most common energy harvesting systems in vehicle suspensions are compared in terms of advantages and limitations.
278 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the key roles of mechanical modulations for energy harvesting are emphasized, and the methods and principles of mechanical modulation and their applications to energy harvesting systems are reviewed and classified into three categories: excitation type conversions, frequency up-conversions, force/motion amplifications.
244 citations
TL;DR: A critical review of nonlinear techniques which have been investigated for performance enhancement of energy harvesters in the past decade and the present state of the art of energy Harvesters which utilise this technique is conducted.
226 citations
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TL;DR: A comprehensive review of existing piezoelectric generators is presented in this paper, including impact coupled, resonant and human-based devices, including large scale discrete devices and wafer-scale integrated versions.
Abstract: This paper reviews the state-of-the art in vibration energy harvesting for wireless, self-powered microsystems. Vibration-powered generators are typically, although not exclusively, inertial spring and mass systems. The characteristic equations for inertial-based generators are presented, along with the specific damping equations that relate to the three main transduction mechanisms employed to extract energy from the system. These transduction mechanisms are: piezoelectric, electromagnetic and electrostatic. Piezoelectric generators employ active materials that generate a charge when mechanically stressed. A comprehensive review of existing piezoelectric generators is presented, including impact coupled, resonant and human-based devices. Electromagnetic generators employ electromagnetic induction arising from the relative motion between a magnetic flux gradient and a conductor. Electromagnetic generators presented in the literature are reviewed including large scale discrete devices and wafer-scale integrated versions. Electrostatic generators utilize the relative movement between electrically isolated charged capacitor plates to generate energy. The work done against the electrostatic force between the plates provides the harvested energy. Electrostatic-based generators are reviewed under the classifications of in-plane overlap varying, in-plane gap closing and out-of-plane gap closing; the Coulomb force parametric generator and electret-based generators are also covered. The coupling factor of each transduction mechanism is discussed and all the devices presented in the literature are summarized in tables classified by transduction type; conclusions are drawn as to the suitability of the various techniques.
2,834 citations
TL;DR: The goal of this paper is not to suggest that the conversion of vibrations is the best or most versatile method to scavenge ambient power, but to study its potential as a viable power source for applications where vibrations are present.
2,727 citations
TL;DR: The field of power harvesting has experienced significant growth over the past few years due to the ever-increasing desire to produce portable and wireless electronics with extended lifespans as mentioned in this paper, and the use of batteries can be troublesome due to their limited lifespan, thus necessitating their periodic replacement.
Abstract: The field of power harvesting has experienced significant growth over the past few years due to the ever-increasing desire to produce portable and wireless electronics with extended lifespans. Current portable and wireless devices must be designed to include electrochemical batteries as the power source. The use of batteries can be troublesome due to their limited lifespan, thus necessitating their periodic replacement. In the case of wireless sensors that are to be placed in remote locations, the sensor must be easily accessible or of a disposable nature to allow the device to function over extended periods of time. Energy scavenging devices are designed to capture the ambient energy surrounding the electronics and convert it into usable electrical energy. The concept of power harvesting works towards developing self-powered devices that do not require replaceable power supplies. A number of sources of harvestable ambient energy exist, including waste heat, vibration, electromagnetic waves, wind, flowing water, and solar energy. While each of these sources of energy can be effectively used to power remote sensors, the structural and biological communities have placed an emphasis on scavenging vibrational energy with piezoelectric materials. This article will review recent literature in the field of power harvesting and present the current state of power harvesting in its drive to create completely self-powered devices.
2,438 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a vibration-based piezoelectric generator has been developed as an enabling technology for wireless sensor networks, where the authors discuss the modeling, design, and optimization of the generator based on a two-layer bending element.
Abstract: Enabling technologies for wireless sensor networks have gained considerable attention in research communities over the past few years. It is highly desirable, even necessary in certain situations, for wireless sensor nodes to be self-powered. With this goal in mind, a vibration based piezoelectric generator has been developed as an enabling technology for wireless sensor networks. The focus of this paper is to discuss the modeling, design, and optimization of a piezoelectric generator based on a two-layer bending element. An analytical model of the generator has been developed and validated. In addition to providing intuitive design insight, the model has been used as the basis for design optimization. Designs of 1 cm3 in size generated using the model have demonstrated a power output of 375 µW from a vibration source of 2.5 m s−2 at 120 Hz. Furthermore, a 1 cm3 generator has been used to power a custom designed 1.9 GHz radio transmitter from the same vibration source.
1,782 citations
03 Sep 2008
TL;DR: The principles and state-of-art in motion-driven miniature energy harvesters are reviewed and trends, suitable applications, and possible future developments are discussed.
Abstract: Energy harvesting generators are attractive as inexhaustible replacements for batteries in low-power wireless electronic devices and have received increasing research interest in recent years. Ambient motion is one of the main sources of energy for harvesting, and a wide range of motion-powered energy harvesters have been proposed or demonstrated, particularly at the microscale. This paper reviews the principles and state-of-art in motion-driven miniature energy harvesters and discusses trends, suitable applications, and possible future developments.
1,781 citations