Design and Analysis of a Bistable Vibration Energy Harvester Using Diamagnetic Levitation Mechanism

In this paper, a novel bistable vibration energy harvester using the diamagnetic levitation mechanism is conceptualized, designed, fabricated, and experimented comprehensively. The bistable energy harvester consists of a floating magnet, lifting magnets, diamagnetic plates, and coils. The lifting magnets placed symmetrically on the both sides of the base are designed to balance the weight of the floating magnet and produce a bistable potential well. The floating magnet is stabilized in the horizontal direction by diamagnetic plates which are made of pyrolytic graphite. Ring-shaped coils are designed for transduction and flanked by the side of diamagnetic plates. Theoretical modeling and analyses are carried out to compare with experimental data. Throughout the theoretical and experimental results, a peak power of 333.7 mu w is generated from a vibration level of 0.6 m/s(2) over a range of 0.5-4.5 Hz. It is indicated that the bistable energy harvester can efficiently operate at extremely low frequencies (< 5 Hz).