A low-order model for the design of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices

Piezoelectric energy harvesting devices are an attractive approach to providing remote wireless power sources. They operate by converting available vibration energy and storing it as electrical energy. Currently, most devices rely on mechanical excitation near their resonance frequency, so a low-order model which computes a few indicators of device performance is a critical design tool. Such a model, based on the assumed modes method, develops equations of motion to provide rapid computations of key device parameters, such as the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and electro-mechanical coupling coefficients. The model is validated with a comparison of its predictions and experimental data.