Design of vibration energy harvester for low voltage power supply using finite element methods (FEM) analysis

The rapid growth of electronic devices miniaturization attract the researchers interest either to save space or for cost reduction. The main purpose of miniaturization is to implement the concept of portable in order to locate the devices everywhere without connected to a power strip. Therefore, the use of battery as a power supply is the only choice to realizing the concepts. However, the improper battery disposal gives the detrimental effects to the environment and human being. Energy harvesting is proposed as the best solution as it provides more comfort and safety to the device compared to the old-fashioned battery. However, the development of lead-free vibration harvester for low frequency of ambient vibration energy is rarely reported. Thus, energy harvester based on zinc oxide (ZnO) piezoelectric material has been chosen as a vibration energy to electrical power transducer as it is compatible with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies, which can generate power from μW up to mW level power. Powering the devices using energy harvester is really suggested as it can provide clean energy, no need for frequent battery replacement and long-term solution. This research focus on designing and simulating the four different models of micro scale piezoelectric power generator (PPG) cantilever beam type named as PPG 1, PPG 2, PPG 3 and PPG 4 using COMSOL Multiphysics approach. The models with attached proof mass at the end tip were analyses to investigate the capability in converting the ambient vibration energy which is commonly below than 200 Hz and less than 1 g (1 g = 9.81 m/s2) acceleration amplitudes. Two working conditions are considered for the analyses. The first condition is to mount the PPG model to a machinery, while the second condition is to locate the PPG model close to the ambient sound wave energy sources. FEM simulation was done with two types of analysis taken. In order to obtain the required results which are resonant frequency analysis and evaluation of electrical output power, eigenfrequency and frequency domain modules were used. As a result, the frequency resonance for all models is below than 200 Hz. As a highlight of this work, PPG 4 shows the superior capability than other model since able to generate the highest output power which is 17.11 μW when integrated with voltage multiplier. Meanwhile, PPG 2 is more suitable for harvesting low frequency of vibration energy since able to vibrate at lower frequency compared to other models which is as low as 52.77 Hz. Based on these two findings about PPG 2 and PPG 4, PPG 4 is selected as the better model since capable in generating higher output power at resonant frequency less than 200 Hz.