S Roundy and P K Wright 2004 Smart Mater. Struct. 13 1131 doi:10.1088/0964-1726/13/5/018
S Roundy1 and P K Wright2
Show affiliationsEnabling technologies for wireless sensor networks have gained considerable attention in research communities over the past few years. It is highly desirable, even necessary in certain situations, for wireless sensor nodes to be self-powered. With this goal in mind, a vibration based piezoelectric generator has been developed as an enabling technology for wireless sensor networks. The focus of this paper is to discuss the modeling, design, and optimization of a piezoelectric generator based on a two-layer bending element. An analytical model of the generator has been developed and validated. In addition to providing intuitive design insight, the model has been used as the basis for design optimization. Designs of 1 cm3 in size generated using the model have demonstrated a power output of 375 µW from a vibration source of 2.5 m s−2 at 120 Hz. Furthermore, a 1 cm3 generator has been used to power a custom designed 1.9 GHz radio transmitter from the same vibration source.
85.50.-n Dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric devices
46.40.-f Vibrations and mechanical waves
07.07.Df Sensors (chemical, optical, electrical, movement, gas, etc.); remote sensing
84.40.Ua Telecommunications: signal transmission and processing; communication satellites
Issue 5 (October 2004)
Received 18 July 2003, in final form 3 June 2004
Published 11 August 2004
S Roundy and P K Wright 2004 Smart Mater. Struct. 13 1131
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