Abstract The paper provides results of dynamic numerical analysis of piezoelectric cantilever-type microgenerator intended for wireless MEMS applications. This analysis constitutes an initial phase of ongoing research work aimed at microgenerator optimal design. It is based on beneficial utilization of higher vibration modes, which may offer significant benefits in terms of dynamic performance. Here we report preliminary results of simulations that were performed with a developed 3-D finite element model of the microgenerator that constitutes a bilayer cantilever structure with proof mass at the free end. The structure was subjected to harmonic base excitation by applying vertical acceleration through body load. The resulting characteristics reveal strong dependence of magnitude of generated voltage on design and excitation parameters (frequency, acceleration). Initial findings indicate the necessity to develop microgenerator design with self-tuning of the resonance frequency, i.e. the device should adapt to varying excitation frequency so as to be driven in resonance thereby achieving maximal electrical power output.
[1]
H. Espinosa,et al.
Mechanical properties of ultrananocrystalline diamond thin films relevant to MEMS/NEMS devices
,
2003
.
[2]
Henry A. Sodano,et al.
A review of power harvesting using piezoelectric materials (2003–2006)
,
2007
.
[3]
Ann Marie Sastry,et al.
Powering MEMS portable devices—a review of non-regenerative and regenerative power supply systems with special emphasis on piezoelectric energy harvesting systems
,
2008
.
[4]
Jan M. Rabaey,et al.
A study of low level vibrations as a power source for wireless sensor nodes
,
2003,
Comput. Commun..
[5]
Luigi Fortuna,et al.
A nonlinear model for ionic polymer metal composites as actuators
,
2007
.
[6]
S. Beeby,et al.
Energy harvesting vibration sources for microsystems applications
,
2006
.