Abstracts Category : Other

A power electronic approach to improved dual-frequencyvibration energy harvesting

by Felipe J Garza

Vibration energy harvesters may be used as powersources for low-power, self-sufficient, wireless industrialsensors. State-of-the-art vibration energy harvesting usesswitching power electronics to synthesize compact conjugate matchedloads allowing for maximum harvested power. Previous workdemonstrating dual-frequency vibration energy harvesting used apiezoelectric harvester loaded with analog-controlled powerelectronics but was unable to cancel the parasitic outputcapacitance typical of piezoelectric harvesters at bothfrequencies. This thesis addresses the technical challenge ofachieving maximum power transfer from multi-frequency vibrationenergy sources, simultaneously. Improved dual-frequency energyharvesting is demonstrated using a piezoelectric vibration energyharvester loaded with digitally-controlled power electronics. Thedigital controller - performing fixed-point computations - allowsfor synthesis of a band-limited negative capacitor needed toimprove dual-frequency energy harvesting.Advisors/Committee Members: Jeffrey H. Lang (advisor).