Collaborative Research: Nonlinear Design and Development of Multi Degree-of-freedom Broadband Energy Harvesting Systems

该项目致力于从低水平的环境振动中收集机械能并将其转换为可用的电能。利用“本质上”非线性振动系统的独特特性，它开发了多自由度，被动，宽带设备，将提高能量收集系统的效率和性能，作用于低水平的环境振动。本论文的主要研究工作有三：1）分析机械谐振器和充电系统的非线性动力学特性; 2）设计和应用多自由度谐振器以提高能量采集; 3）实验验证所提出的设计方案。此外，与布里斯托大学（英国）的一个小组合作，寻求采用最先进的能量转换策略，这些策略可以与宽带谐振器一起有效地工作，以产生可靠、一致的电源。预计这项研究将为下一代便携式设备和无线传感器提供一种使能技术，并为设计和优化包含非线性元件的系统提供一个新的框架。最后，该项目通过有针对性的外展，本科研究计划和来自代表性不足的群体的学生的支持，提高了工程社区的多样性。

This project addresses the harvesting and conversion of mechanical energy from low-level ambient vibration into usable electrical energy. Utilizing the unique properties of "essentially" nonlinear vibrating systems, it develops multi degree-of-freedom, passive, broadband devices that will increase the efficiency and performance of energy harvesting systems acting on low-level ambient vibrations. Three research tasks are undertaken: 1) analysis of the system-level dynamics including nonlinearity in both the mechanical resonator and the electrical charging system; 2) design and application of multidegree-of-freedom resonators to enhance harvesting; and 3) experimental verification of proposed designs. Furthermore, collaboration with a group at the University of Bristol (UK) seeks to incorporate state of the art energy conversion strategies that can work efficiently in conjunction with the broadband resonator to produce a reliable, consistent source of power. The research is anticipated to lead to an enabling technology for next-generation portable devices and wireless sensors and provide a novel framework for the design and optimization of systems that incorporate nonlinear elements. Finally, this project enhances the diversity of the engineering community through targeted outreach, undergraduate research programs, and the support of students from underrepresented groups.