Broadband Energy Harvester Using Non-linear Polymer Spring and Electromagnetic/Triboelectric Hybrid Mechanism

Abstract

Over the years, several approaches have been devised to widen the operating bandwidth, but most of them can only be triggered at high accelerations. In this work, we investigate a broadband energy harvester based on combination of non-linear stiffening effect and multimodal energy harvesting to obtain high bandwidth over wide range of accelerations (0.1 g–2.0 g). In order to achieve broadband behavior, a polymer based spring exhibiting multimodal energy harvesting is used. Besides, non-linear stiffening effect is introduced by using mechanical stoppers. At low accelerations (<0.5 g), the nearby mode frequencies of polymer spring contribute to broadening characteristics, while proof mass engages with mechanical stoppers to introduce broadening by non-linear stiffening at higher accelerations. The electromagnetic mechanism is employed in this design to enhance its output at low accelerations when triboelectric output is negligible. Our device displays bandwidth of 40 Hz even at low acceleration of 0.1 g and it is increased up to 68 Hz at 2 g. When non-linear stiffening is used along with multimodal energy-harvesting, the obtained bandwidth increases from 23 Hz to 68 Hz with percentage increment of 295% at 1.8 g. Further, we have demonstrated the triboelectric output measured as acceleration sensing signals in terms of voltage and current sensitivity of 4.7 Vg−1 and 19.7 nAg−1, respectively.

A Hybrid Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Nanogenerator with PVDF Nanoparticles and Leaf‐Shaped Microstructure PTFE Film for Scavenging Mechanical Energy

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18] And it is found that piezoelectric materials polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has demonstrated to be the largest piezoelectric constants in polymer. [23][24][25] Wang first described a hybrid triboelectric and electromagnetic harvester for the harsh environment. [9] Recently, hybrid nanogenerators have attracted more and more attention.…”

“…[9] Recently, hybrid nanogenerators have attracted more and more attention. [24] However, the existing research using both electromagnetic and triboelectric method could harvest limited power due to the impedance mismatch. [23] Lee and co-workers reported a broadband nonlinear electromagnetic and triboelectric hybrid energy harvester.…”

Broadband, Tunable, Miniaturized Vibration Energy Harvester Using Nonlinear Elastomer Beams and Stretchable Interconnects

“…[16] While the prior work involves different transduction mechanisms, i.e., electromagnetic and triboelectric, and the volume of active region which is over 100 times larger than the reported device, its power output in resonant mode (50.2 µW) is comparable to the power output (0.6 µW or 0.3 µWrns) reported here given the volume difference. [16] While the prior work involves different transduction mechanisms, i.e., electromagnetic and triboelectric, and the volume of active region which is over 100 times larger than the reported device, its power output in resonant mode (50.2 µW) is comparable to the power output (0.6 µW or 0.3 µWrns) reported here given the volume difference.…”

“…[1] (2) A low operating frequency which matches the frequency range of the target vibration sources is needed to obtain maximum efficiency. [11,[14][15][16] Here, we demonstrate a design construct and materials for a soft-rigid hybrid device enabling broadband, resonance tunable vibration energy harvesting and self-powered motion sensing. [10] (3) Broadband response and (4) resonance tunability which can significantly improve the efficiency as most real-world vibrations have widely distributed frequency spectra or time variant frequency peak.…”

Hybrid Electromagnetic and Triboelectric Nanogenerators with Multi-Impact for Wideband Frequency Energy Harvesting

“…Recently, hybrid nanogenerators combining several mechanisms, such as the use of piezoelectric and triboelectric principles to convert mechanical energy into electricity, have been attracting an increasing amount of attention, [10,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Mahmoudi et al reported a multiphysics hybrid piezoelectric-electromagnetic vibration energy harvester with a nonlinear equation of motion for an enhancement power density up to 84% [20].…”