Sustainable Energy Harvesting Mechanism with Flow-Induced Vibration

This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing flow-induced vibration actuator as a potential energy source through piezoelectric energy harvesting. The focus is on exploring the behavior of piezo films configured as cantilever beams subjected to flow-induced vibration, which can be in-duced by fluid or wind streams. The primary objective is to maximize the harvested energy from the vibrating structure. The paper develops theoretical models to analyze the resonant frequencies and energy harvesting potential of the piezo films in the context of flow-induced vibration. Experimental validations are conducted to verify the theoretical predictions. The findings indicate that higher operating frequencies in the second mode offer improved energy harvesting efficiency compared to lower modes. Through the strategic adjustment of resonant frequencies using attached masses on individual piezo films, the harvestable energy output of a single film can be significantly increased from less than 1 μW to approximately 18 μW. However, the phase differences among individual piezo films can impact frequency measurements, necessitating careful fine-tuning of the physical conditions of individual components. To optimize energy harvesting, the study emphasizes the importance of implementing efficient charging mechanisms. By identifying the suitable environ-mental vibration sources, the required charging duration for a synthesized energy harvesting array can be reduced by 25% as well. Despite certain challenges, such as phase deviations and turbulence, the research demonstrates the promising potential of flow-induced vibration resonators as sus-tainable energy sources. This work lays the foundation for further advancements in energy har-vesting technology, offering environmentally friendly and renewable energy solutions.