title: Magnetic levitation-based electromagnetic energy harvesting: a semi-analytical non-linear model for energy transduction.
abstract: Magnetic levitation has been used to implement low-cost and maintenance-free electromagnetic energy harvesting. The ability of levitation-based harvesting systems to operate autonomously for long periods of time makes them well-suited for self-powering a broad range of technologies. In this paper, a combined theoretical and experimental study is presented of a harvester configuration that utilizes the motion of a levitated hard-magnetic element to generate electrical power. A semi-analytical, non-linear model is introduced that enables accurate and efficient analysis of energy transduction. The model predicts the transient and steady-state response of the harvester a function of its motion (amplitude and frequency) and load impedance. Very good agreement is obtained between simulation and experiment with energy errors lower than 14.15% (mean absolute percentage error of 6.02%) and cross-correlations higher than 86%. The model provides unique insight into fundamental mechanisms of energy transduction and enables the geometric optimization of harvesters prior to fabrication and the rational design of intelligent energy harvesters.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mechanical Technology &Automation, TEMA, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.|Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marco P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Soares Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mechanical Technology &Automation, TEMA, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.|Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Jorge A F
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: José A O
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.affiliation: Institute of Electronics and Informatics Engineering of Aveiro, IEETA, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pascoal
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torrão
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, US.
authors.forename: Xiaozheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, US.|Department of Electrical Engineering, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, US.
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Furlani