Novel Design of a Piezoelectric Energy Harvester Using Raindrop Impact

Piezoelectric energy harvesting is a method of energy generation that has shown some amount of validity in recent years. Due to its versatility in terms of its traits and applications, piezoelectric energy harvesters are very diverse and can provide innovative opportunities to generate energy. One method is through the use of raindrops. It was hypothesized that an energy harvester using raindrops would be valid if it were to generate around 10 mVDC because it would then open up avenues for future research. A piezoelectric energy harvester that uses raindrops to generate power was created and put under simulated rain conditions and had its voltage measured in 5 minute intervals. The device generated this amount of voltage and is a valid proof of concept. Therefore, the creation of novel designs for generating energy from raindrops via a piezoelectric energy harvester may serve as a valid form of energy harvesting and open up possibilities for future research.