Advanced techniques for effective kinetic nonlinear energy harvesting technologies

OPUS LAP

Funding Organization: National Science Centre

Leader: Lublin University of Technology

Partner: Silesian University of Technology

Project title: Advanced techniques for effective kinetic nonlinear energy harvesting technologies

Agreement number: UMO-2023/51/I/ST8/02739

Project implementation period: 01.10.2024 - 30.09.2027

Principal Investigator (Lublin University of Technology): prof. dr hab. Grzegorz Andrzej Litak

Principal Co-investigator  (Silesian University of Technology): dr hab. inż. Damian Krzysztof Gąska

Project value: 1 838 540,00 PLN

Funds granted for Lublin University of Technology: 1 105 930,00 PLN

Funds granted for Silesian University of Technology: 732 610,00 PLN

Abstract: Small-size vibration energy harvesters transforming ambient vibration energy to electrical power were proposed a long time ago as linear devices. Considering the density of energy, the piezoelectric transducers were optimal for their size between one to tens of centimeters. However variable ambient conditions cause such a linear device to work beyond the main resonance, which leads to a considerable reduction of the power output. The most popular way to increase the output is to include nonlinear effects to the mechanical resonator. In such a system the frequency broadband effects were observed. In the frequency amplitude diagram they are related to modification in the region of resonance and also to the appearance of some new classes of resonances at rational multipliers of the linearized system's natural frequency. The additional effects are based on multiple solutions depending on the initial conditions which are very common in nonlinear systems and the appearance of non-periodic (chaotic) solutions. The nonlinear potential could be modeled by springs and magnets including nonlinear energy sinks. In the second option, the magnets positions and orientations were very important leading to single or multiple potential wells. In the present project, we will investigate the response to harmonic inertial and parametric excitations. Additional manipulation in the electrical circuit to optimize the power output will be also considered. Project is based on mechanical engineering discpline.