Wearable Human Motion and Heat Energy Harvesting System with Power Management

A combined human motion and heat energy harvesting system are under investigation. Main parts of the developed human motion energy harvester are flat, spiral-shaped inductors. Voltage pulses in such flat inductors can be induced during the motion of a permanent magnet along its surface. Due to the flat structure, inductors can be completely integrated into the parts of the clothes, and it is not necessary to allocate extra place for movement of the magnet as in usual electromagnetic harvesters. Prototypes of the clothing with integrated proposed electromagnetic human motion energy harvester are created and tested. Voltage of generated impulses is shown to be high enough to be effectively rectified with commercially available diodes and ready to be stored; however, efficiency depends on properties of controlling circuit. In order to increase the sustainability of the energy source and its stability, an option for combining a motion energy harvester with a human body heat energy harvester is also considered. Thermoelectric generator that harvests electricity from waste heat of human body is presented, and generated voltage and power are compared at different activity levels and ambient temperatures. Power generated with thermoelectric generator located on lower leg reached up to 35 mW with peak voltages reaching 2 V at certain conditions. A possible power management set-up and its efficiency are discussed.

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