Design and fabrication of a new vibration-based electromechanical power generator

A device is described for generating electrical power from mechanical energy in a vibrating environment. The design utilises an electromagnetic transducer and its operating principle is based on the relative movement of a magnet pole with respect to a coil. The approach is suitable for embedded remote microsystems structures with no physical links to the outside world. Simulation, modelling and test results following fabrication of a first prototype have demonstrated that generation of practical amounts of power within a reasonable space is possible. Power generation of more than 1 mW within a volume of 240 mm(3) at a vibration frequency of 320 Hz has been obtained. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.