Advances in Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting for Power Generation

The escalating global energy demand is driving research into harvesting ambient energy, with piezoelectric materials offering a compelling method to convert mechanical vibrations, particularly from human footsteps, into electrical energy. This review consolidates recent advances in piezoelectric energy harvesting, focusing on material science, structural optimization, and practical application in footstep power generation. The developments across piezoelectric materials (PZT, PVDF, and nanocomposites), power electronics (rectification, supercapacitors), and complementary technologies like Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs). Challenges like low current output, durability, and cost are discussed. This work highlights the path toward scaling this sustainable, decentralized technology for real-world urban and IoT applications.