Realizing stretchable energy harvesting film through stretch-buckling conversion of wavy base

Abstract

In this study, we designed and fabricated a stretchable energy harvesting device. This device operates by inducing buckling in the PZT film through tension applied to the wavy base, resulting in voltage generation. Both simulations and experiments demonstrate that the aspect ratio between the pitch and curve radius of the symmetric wavy base influences the energy conversion efficiency of the piezoelectric device. An in-depth analysis revealed that increasing the resolution of the device leads to a proportional increase in energy conversion efficiency. This finding aligns with the mathematical modeling proposed in our study. Consequently, our study demonstrates the potential of miniaturized wavy piezoelectric devices in diverse applications, including soft robotics, wearable devices, and highly sensitive stretchable sensors. These devices hold promise for enhancing the efficiency of flexible devices by harnessing energy from mechanical movement.