Nonlinear dynamics of an adaptive energy harvester with magnetic interactions and magnetostrictive transduction

This work investigates the mechanical energy harvesting from smart and adaptive devices using magnetic interactions. The energy harvester is built from an elastic beam connected to an electric circuit by a magnetostrictive material that promotes energy transduction. Besides, magnetic interactions define the system stability characterizing multistable configurations. The adaptiveness is provided by magnets that can change their position with respect to the beam, changing the system configuration. A mathematical model is proposed considering a novel model to describe magnetic interactions based on the single -point magnet dipole method, but employing multiple points to represent the magnetic dipole, which is more effective to match experimental data. The adaptive behavior allows one to alter the system stability and therefore, its dynamical response. A nonlinear dynamics analysis is performed showing the possibilities to enhance energy harvesting capacity from the magnet position change. The strategy is to perform a system dynamical characterization and afterward, alter the energetic barrier according to the environmental energy sources. Results show interesting conditions where energy harvesting capacity is dramatically increased by changing the system characteristics.