Fatigue in vibration energy harvesters: State-of-the-art review

The fatigue performance of vibration energy harvesters directly impacts their reliability and longevity in practical applications, making it to be crucial to study their fatigue behavior. However, current research in this area remains insufficient. This study systematically reviews the fatigue performance of piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and electrostatic energy harvesters, with a focus on analyzing the differences in fatigue behavior across various materials and structural designs and their effects on harvester lifespan. The work begins by introducing the energy transduction mechanisms in vibration energy harvesting systems and the associated fatigue issues, followed by an assessment of relevant research methodologies. The influence of piezoelectric materials and harvester structural design on fatigue performance is then explored, revealing the impacts of material fatigue damage, stress concentration, and adhesive interface problems on device longevity. For electromagnetic and electrostatic energy harvesters, this analysis highlights current research gaps, particularly in the areas of mechanical wear and charge leakage. The study further discusses methods to enhance harvester fatigue performance through material selection and structural optimization and suggests that future research should focus on the development of new materials, structural improvements, and the investigation of fatigue performance under multiple environmental conditions. This work provides a comprehensive review and quantitative analysis of fatigue in vibration energy harvesters, aiming to advance the field.