Nonlinear Dynamics in Vibration-based Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting

本课题旨在研究基于振动的压电能量采集器的非线性动力学，以实现宽带宽、高功率输出、小体积和低成本。基于振动的能量采集器能够清除环境振动并将其转化为电能，有望取代电池，成为小型自主电子设备的主要电源。这种能量收集器有两个主要优点：不需要更换和充电；无废电池对环境的污染。在不同类型的基于振动的能量采集器中，压电能量采集器（PEHs）因其更大的功率密度而最有前途。尽管PEHs前景光明，但现有的PEHs存在功率输出小、频带窄等主要缺点。已经作出各种努力来解决这些问题。在原有的线性PEHs中引入非线性机构，有效地利用非线性动力学特性是提高PEHs性能最有希望的途径之一。提出的研究计划将应用两种新颖独特的非线性机制，基于双稳态结构的强迫振动和基于结构的自激振动，以提高PEHs的功率输出和拓宽频率带宽。长期目标是设计和开发广泛应用的有效PEHs。短期目标包括设计和优化基于双稳态结构的PEHs，设计和开发基于结构的自激PEHs，以及开发将PEHs集成到小型自主电子器件中的技术。该研究将有助于开发压电能量采集器的非线性建模、分析和优化工具，并将大大提高PEH技术。此外，该研究计划将在对工业重要的多学科领域培养几名hqp。

The research program aims to study the nonlinear dynamics in vibration-based piezoelectric energy harvesters to achieve wide bandwidth, high power output, small size, and low cost. Vibration-based energy harvesters, capable of scavenging ambient vibrations and converting into electricity, are promising to replace batteries as a main power supply for small autonomous electronic devices. There are two main advantages for such energy harvesters: no replacement and recharging required; no environmental pollution caused by waster batteries. Among different types of vibration-based energy harvesters, piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs) are the most promising due to its larger power density. In spite of the promise of PEHs, existing PEHs suffer from major drawbacks such as small power output and narrow frequency bandwidth. Various efforts have been made to address the problems. One of the most promising ways to improve the performances of PEHs is to introduce nonlinear mechanisms into the original linear PEHs and effectively utilize nonlinear dynamic properties. The proposed research program will apply two novel and unique nonlinear mechanisms, bistable-structure-based forced vibrations and structure-based self-excited vibrations, to PEHs to enhance power output and widen frequency bandwidth. The long-term objective is to design and develop effective PEHs for wide applications. The short-term objectives include design and optimization of bistable-structure-based PEHs, design and development of structure-based self-excited PEHs, and development of techniques to integrate PEHs into small autonomous electronic devices. The research will contribute to developing nonlinear modeling, analysis, and optimization tools for piezoelectric energy harvesters and will significantly enhance the PEH technology. Moreover, the research program will train several HQPs in multi-disciplinary areas of importance to industry.