We are interested in recruiting anMEng student for the study of a novel piezoelectric based energy harvester. Piezoelectric energy harvesters are typically beams that resonate at a particular frequency. The charge output of the piezoelectric material is connected to circuitry that allows for the harvest of electrical power. Our novel design uses a free-play nonlinearity to attempt to harvest power over a wide range of frequencies. This project would center on testing an existing setup of this design and investigating the broadband response of the system. The recruited student would work closely with a Ph.D. student currently developing a computational simulation of the device. Co-authorship on a journal article is likely.
The experimental validation would require the use of our lab equipment including but not limited to a laser vibrometer, oscilloscope, function generator, shaker, and possibly labview. We are looking for a student who has taken vibrations and possibly mechatronics (there are very simple circuits involved). The beams will have been previously fabricated.
If you are interested, please contact:
Michael Shafer
Upson Hall, Rm 226
mws228@cornell.edu