Nonlinear dynamics of a bistable piezoelectric-composite energy harvester for broadband application

Abstract

The continuing need for reduced power requirements for small electronic components, such as wireless sensor networks, has prompted renewed interest in recent years for energy harvesting technologies capable of capturing energy from ambient vibrations. A particular focus has been placed on piezoelectric materials and devices due to the simplicity of the mechanical to electrical energy conversion and their high strain energy densities compared to electrostatic and electromagnetic equivalents. In this paper an arrangement of piezoelectric layers attached to a bistable asymmetric laminate is investigated experimentally to understand the dynamic response of the structure and power generation characteristics. The inherent bistability of the underlying structure is exploited for energy harvesting since a transition from one stable configuration to another, or 'snap-through', is used to repeatedly strain the surface bonded piezoelectric and generate electrical energy. This approach has been shown to exhibit high levels of power extraction over a wide range of vibrational frequencies. Using high speed digital image correlation, a variety of dynamic modes of oscillation are identified in the harvester. The sensitivity of such modes to changes in vibration frequency and amplitude are investigated. Power outputs are measured for repeatable snap-through events of the device and are correlated with the measured modes of oscillation. The typical power generated is approximately 3.2mW, comparing well with the needs of typical wireless senor node applications.

Exploiting Microstructural Instabilities in Solids and Structures: From Metamaterials to Structural Transitions

“…When the mass is excited dynamically, it may enter three regimes of motion: (i) infinitesimal excitations result in linear elastic vibrations of infinitesimal amplitude about one of the two equilibrium ground states, (ii) moderate-amplitude excitations lead to weakly nonlinear motion with fluctuations about one of the energy minima, and (iii) large excitations cause strongly nonlinear motion and snapping between the two equilibria. Under sustained forced loading, a large-amplitude oscillatory motion can be observed [241,242], which has been exploited, e.g., for energy harvesting [243,244] and vibration control [245]. For a thorough survey of the dynamic stability of elastic systems, see also Ref.…”

A Novel Arch‐Shaped Hybrid Composite Triboelectric Generator Using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers

“…We have deliberately selected CFRP as the structural material because an intriguing characteristic of using CFRP laminates is the potential to exploit the anisotropic thermal expansion of the composite to tailor the laminate layup and carbon fiber orientation to achieve the desired arch‐shape and mechanical properties of the triboelectric generator. The use of the anisotropic thermal expansion in CFRP has been used in the design of smart structures and piezoelectric‐based harvesters, but has yet to be undertaken on triboelectric materials. This is not possible with isotropic materials, which are often used in triboelectric devices .…”

Output response identification in a multistable system for piezoelectric energy harvesting

“…This work examines bistable laminates for broadband energy harvesting where both laminate properties and a tip magnet are used to tune the harvester response. Initial work was carried out by Betts and Arrieta [16][17][18] in which square plate bistable laminates were built from asymmetrically laid carbon fiber pre-preg stacks with piezoelectric patches adhered for transduction of strain energy into electrical energy. Cantilever-type harvesters were also considered because of their more straightforward strain fields, lower natural frequencies and decreased acceleration levels needed for initiation of cross-well oscillations [19][20][21][22].…”