Energy Harvesting

EDLab performs researches on vibration energy harvester (including piezoelectric and electromagnetic) with consideration of realistic loading (e.g. tire impact loading, bimodal vibration, various kinetic energy from engineering structures and human).
Vibration energy harvesting (EH) has grabbed attention as an autonomous and sustainable power solution for wireless sensor network. We study various vibration energy harvesting devices applicable to energy system monitoring (wind turbine), aerospace, railroad, human body, smart farm.

We study energy harvesters that overcome the weakness of linear harvesters and account for the arbitrary nature of vibration. For practical purposes, a broadband frequency vibration input is used to optimize the energy harvester design. Design variables are assigned and optimized in order to create optimal design of the energy harvester, which maximizes power output. We actively research on system integration on energy sustainable sensor node by combining energy harvester, power management circuit, storage unit, sensor, and wireless transmitter.

 

Experimental comparison of Reliability-based design (RBDO) for tire energy harvester to the deterministic one (DDO) (left and middle); Wireless transmitter for data acquisition on the rolling tire (right)

Related recent papers:

Broadband Energy Harvester for Varied Tram Vibration Frequency Using a 2-DOF Mass–Spring–Damper System

Smart Structures and Systems, 2023
H. Umar, C. Mullen, Soobum Lee, J. Lee, J. Kim

This study presents a broadband vibrational energy harvester based on a
two-degree-of-freedom mass–spring–damper system designed to accommodate
variable tram-induced vibration frequencies. The proposed design demonstrates
enhanced power output over a wide frequency range.

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A Pendulum-Based Frequency-Up Conversion Mechanism for Vibrational Energy Harvesting in Low-Speed Rotary Structures

Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 2024
Weijie Xian, Soobum Lee

This paper proposes a pendulum-based frequency up-conversion mechanism for
energy harvesting in low-speed rotary systems. The design enables efficient
vibration-to-electrical energy conversion under low rotational speeds,
expanding the applicability of vibrational energy harvesters.

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Smart Flexible 3D Sensor for Monitoring Orthodontic Forces: Prototype Design and Proof-of-Principle Experiment

Bioengineering, 2022
Soobum Lee, Chabum Lee, Jose A. Bosio, Mary Anne S. Melo

This paper presents the design and experimental validation of a smart,
flexible three-dimensional force sensor for orthodontic applications.
The proposed sensor enables real-time force monitoring and demonstrates
potential for personalized dental treatment.

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Nonlinear Dynamics of a Rotary Energy Harvester with a Double Frequency Up-Conversion Mechanism

Journal of Computational and Nonlinear Dynamics, 2020
Saman Nezami, Soobum Lee

This paper investigates the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a rotary
energy harvester incorporating a double frequency up-conversion mechanism.
The proposed system enhances energy harvesting performance under low-speed
rotational excitation by effectively transferring low-frequency motion
to higher-frequency electrical generation.

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S. Nezami, S. Lee, J. Jin, and K. W. Kang “Shape optimization of railroad vibration energy harvester for structural robustness and power generation performance,” Eng. Struct., Vol. 173, No. 15, pp. 460-471, 2018 

N. Chen, T. Wei, D. Ha, H. Jung, and S. Lee, “Alternating Resistive Impedance Matching for an Impact-Type Micro Wind Piezoelectric Energy Harvester,” IEEE T. Ind. Electron., Vol. 65, No. 9, pp. 7374-7382, 2018 

A. T. Eshghi, S. Lee, M. K. Sadoughi, C. Hu, Y. C. Kim, and J. H. Seo, “Design optimization under uncertainty and speed variability for a piezoelectric energy harvester powering a tire pressure monitoring sensor,” Smart Mater. Struct., Vol. 26, No. 10, 105037, 2017