Parametric Optimization of Stepped Piezoelectric Cantilever Beam for Vibration Energy Harvesting

Harvesting energy from ambient vibrations is a sustainable and autonomous power source for low power electronic devices. In this paper, the parametric optimization of a three stepped piezoelectric cantilever beam vibration energy harvester is studied. The beam's specifications include a maximum thickness of 10mm, a constant width of 10mm for every step and a maximum length of 100mm. Additionally, each succeeding step height must be less than the preceding step height. The beam is optimized to give maximum electric potential at low frequency, when subjected to a tip force of 1N applied in the thickness direction. The optimal combination of beam parameters that produces the largest electric potential while adhering to the aforementioned criteria has been chosen from among several combinations of beam parameters that have been computationally simulated.