LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, the use of magneto-electro-elastic (MEE) composites is proposed for vibration-based energy harvesting applications as an approach to enhance the harvested electrical power density in order to create self-powering systems which are not limited by finite battery energy. The main objective of this study is analytical modeling of the response of a unimorph MEE energy harvester in the framework of a longitudinal cantilever bar which consists a MEE layer that is perfectly bonded to a lower substrate layer. This model can simplify the design procedure for determining the appropriate size and vibration levels necessary for sufficient energy to be produced and supplied to the electronic devices. As the first step, the coupled magneto-electro-mechanical differential equations based on the one dimensional bar theory and for harmonic base excitation in the longitudinal direction are derived. Subsequently, the governed coupled equations are solved to obtain the dynamic behavior, generated voltages, currents and the harvested powers by the proposed energy harvesting system. Then, the influences of the excitation frequency, electrical load resistances and number of coil turns on the performance of the MEE energy harvester are discussed in detail. This study reveals the benefit of the circuit used for the coil by increasing the total useful harvested power by as much as 37%. According to the obtained numerical results, any decrease in Young’s modulus and increase in density of the two layers increases the magnitude of the magnetoelectric harvested power in a unimorph MEE energy harvester system.