Energy Scavenging From Low-Frequency Vibrations by Using Frequency Up-Conversion for Wireless Sensor Applications

This paper presents an electromagnetic (EM) vibration-to-electrical power generator for wireless sensors, which can scavenge energy from low-frequency external vibrations. For most wireless applications, the ambient vibration is generally at very low frequencies (1-100 Hz), and traditional scavengin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE sensors journal 2008-03, Vol.8 (3), p.261-268
Main Authors: Kulah, H., Najafi, K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coils
Direct power generation
Electric potential
Energy conversion
energy harvesting
Energy scavenging
Frequency conversion
frequency up-conversion
Generators
Induction generators
Maximum power
Mechanical sensors
Microelectromechanical systems
microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
Power generation
Scavenging
Sensors
Structural beams
Vibration
Vibrations
Voltage
Wireless sensor networks
wireless sensors
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Description
Summary:This paper presents an electromagnetic (EM) vibration-to-electrical power generator for wireless sensors, which can scavenge energy from low-frequency external vibrations. For most wireless applications, the ambient vibration is generally at very low frequencies (1-100 Hz), and traditional scavenging techniques cannot generate enough energy for proper operation. The reported generator up-converts low-frequency environmental vibrations to a higher frequency through a mechanical frequency up-converter using a magnet, and hence provides more efficient energy conversion at low frequencies. Power is generated by means of EM induction using a magnet and coils on top of resonating cantilever beams. The proposed approach has been demonstrated using a macroscale version, which provides 170 nW maximum power and 6 mV maximum voltage. For the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) version, the expected maximum power and maximum voltage from a single cantilever is 3.97 muW and 76 mV, respectively, in vacuum. Power level can be increased further by using series-connected cantilevers without increasing the overall generator area, which is 4 mm 2 . This system provides more than an order of magnitude better energy conversion for 10-100 Hz ambient vibration range, compared to a conventional large mass/coil system.
ISSN:1530-437X
1558-1748
DOI:10.1109/JSEN.2008.917125