Electromagnetic Vibration-Energy Harvesters

本研究的目的是探索创新的方法，以提高能量转换效率，并解决限制广泛使用的电磁换能收集振动能量的问题。具体研究的是通过巧妙的设计和制造技术提高转换效率的方法，通过宏观和微观制造技术实现高能量转换的想法，包括永磁体和低电阻线圈的微制造工艺，并展示具有前所未有的转换效率和功率水平的低成本能量采集器。其智力价值在于基于磁体和线圈阵列的新的电磁能量转换原理，其中磁体阵列与线圈阵列平行移动以响应振动输入。新的转换原理产生了270 mW的功率（进入96欧姆负载）在65 Hz下的0.66 mm振动振幅，采集器占据26 cc，重量为90 g。如此大的功率是前所未有的，这项研究是变革性的，因为它使手持收割机能够产生1100瓦的亚，更广泛的影响是收集无处不在的振动能量用于替代能源装置和用于电子或机电系统的微功率源（消除对电池的需要）。来自代表性不足群体的学生，包括当地市中心的高中生，将有机会参与拟议的研究。此外，当地市中心的高中将提供工作的能量采集器，高中生可以在他们的科学实验室实验。

The objective of this research is to explore innovative ways to increase the energy conversion efficiency and address the issues limiting wide-spread usage of electromagnetic transduction for harvesting vibration energy. Specifically studied are the methods to increase the conversion efficiency through ingenious designs and fabrication techniques, implement high-energy-conversion ideas with macro- and micro-fabrication technologies including microfabrication processes for permanent magnets and low resistive coils, and demonstrate low-cost energy harvesters with unprecedented conversion efficiency and power level. The intellectual merit is in the new electromagnetic energy-conversion principle based on arrays of magnets and coils with a magnet array moving in parallel with a coil array in response to vibration input. The new conversion principle has resulted in 270 mW power (into 96 ohm load) out of 0.66 mm vibration amplitude at 65 Hz with a harvester occupying 26 cc and weighing 90 gram. Such a large power is unprecedented, and this research is transformative as it enables hand-held harvesters to be capable of generating 1 100 W out of sub-millimeter vibration amplitude as well as microfabricated counterparts capable of 1 1,000 mW.The broader impacts are on harvesting ubiquitous vibration energy for alternative energy means and micropower source for electronic or electromechanical systems (removing the need of battery). Students from underrepresented groups including local inner-city high school students will be given opportunities to work on the proposed research. Moreover, local inner-city high schools will be offered working energy harvesters with which the high school students can experiment in their science labs.