A broadband vibrational energy harvester

We propose a design for an energy harvester which has the potential to harvest vibrational energy over a broad range of ambient frequencies. The device uses two flexible ceramic piezoelectric elements arranged in a buckled configuration in the absence of vibrations. Experimental data show that this design allows enhanced harvesting of energy relative to a comparable cantilever design, both for periodic and stochastic vibrations. Moreover, the data suggest that this harvester has its peak energy generation when it responds with chaotic vibrations.