Ambient wind energy harvesting using cross-flow fluttering

In this experimental study, we propose and test a bioinspired piezo-leaf architecture which converts wind energy into electrical energy by wind-induced fluttering motion. While conventional fluttering devices are arranged in parallel with the flow direction, here we explore a dangling cross-flow stalk arrangement. This architecture amplifies the vibration by an order of magnitude, making it appropriate for low-cost organic piezomaterials. We fabricated prototypes using flexible piezoelectric materials as stalks and polymer film as leaves. A series of experiments demonstrated a peak output power of approximately 600 mu W and maximum power density of approximately 2 mW/cm(3) from a single leaf. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3525045]