Note: A cubic electromagnetic harvester that convert vibration energy from all directions.

We investigate the output performance of a cubic harvester which can scavenge low-frequency vibration energy from all directions. By adjusting the size and shape of the inside magnets, higher induced voltages and output power can be achieved. The optimal magnet is found to be cubic shape with the length of 6.35 mm (25.6% volume ratio), which can generate 4.27 mV root mean square voltage and 2.45 μW average power at the frequency of 28.86 Hz and acceleration of 1.17 g. The device is also demonstrated as a self-powered tilt sensor by measuring induced voltages at different tilt angles.

[1]  Nady Boules Prediction of No-Load Flux Density Distribution in Permanent Magnet Machines , 1985, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.

[2]  Mengdi Han,et al.  Magnetic-assisted triboelectric nanogenerators as self-powered visualized omnidirectional tilt sensing system , 2014, Scientific Reports.

[3]  Chengkuo Lee,et al.  Hybrid energy harvester based on piezoelectric and electromagnetic mechanisms , 2010 .

[4]  R. Olaru,et al.  Inductive tilt sensor with magnets and magnetic fluid , 2005 .

[5]  P. Hagedorn,et al.  A piezoelectric bistable plate for nonlinear broadband energy harvesting , 2010 .

[6]  Chengkuo Lee,et al.  Ultra-wide frequency broadening mechanism for micro-scale electromagnetic energy harvester , 2014 .

[7]  Neil M. White,et al.  An electromagnetic, vibration-powered generator for intelligent sensor systems , 2004 .

[8]  Mengdi Han,et al.  Springless cubic harvester for converting three dimensional vibration energy , 2014, 2014 IEEE 27th International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS).

[9]  Jan M. Rabaey,et al.  A study of low level vibrations as a power source for wireless sensor nodes , 2003, Comput. Commun..

[10]  M. Boyce,et al.  Planar patterned stretchable electrode arrays based on flexible printed circuits , 2013, Journal of micromechanics and microengineering : structures, devices, and systems.

[11]  Mengdi Han,et al.  Low-frequency wide-band hybrid energy harvester based on piezoelectric and triboelectric mechanism , 2013 .

[12]  Daigo Miki,et al.  A MEMS electret generator with electrostatic levitation for vibration-driven energy-harvesting applications , 2010 .

[13]  Y. V. Andel,et al.  Vibration energy harvesting with aluminum nitride-based piezoelectric devices , 2009 .

[14]  H. Kulah,et al.  An Electromagnetic Micro Power Generator for Low-Frequency Environmental Vibrations Based on the Frequency Upconversion Technique , 2009, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems.