Design, Modelling and Optimization of Vibration based Energy Harvester for Battery Operated Applications

As the demand for energy conservation and power optimization increases, vibration-based piezoelectric energy harvesters have emerged as an effective solution. These harvesters utilize various cantilever beam configurations, including simple, tapered, L-shaped, and U-shaped designs with proof mass, commonly found in industrial machinery. For unimorph beam structures, the ratio of non-piezoelectric to piezoelectric material is set above unity, and a linear dynamic equation is formulated to model the system’s behavior. The electromechanical coupling characteristics—stress distribution, electric field, and electric potential—are analyzed and validated through COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. Among all studied configurations, the unimorph cantilever design generates the highest power and voltage output. This makes it ideal for optimizing energy harvesters in battery-operated applications. By converting ambient vibrations into usable electrical energy, these harvesters power wireless sensor networks, IoT devices, and battery-dependent systems. Additionally, they enhance the operational efficiency and range of electric vehicles by supplying supplementary energy for onboard electronics..