Snap-through twinkling energy generation through frequency up-conversion

A novel experimental energy harvester is investigated for its energy harvesting capability by frequency up-conversion using snap-through structures. In particular, a single-degree of-freedom (SDOF) experimental energy harvester model is built using a snap-through nonlinear element. The snap-through dynamics is facilitated by the experimental setup of a twinkling energy generator (TEG) consisting of linear springs and attracting cylindrical bar magnets. A cylindrical coil of enamel-coated magnet wire is used as the energy generator. The governing equations are formulated mathematically and solved numerically for a direct comparison with the experimental results. The experimental TEG and the numerical simulation results show 25-fold frequency up-conversion and the power harvesting capacity of the SDOF TEG. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.