A Compact Electrodynamic Energy Harvester with High Power Density

An energy harvester with a novel design approach generating high electrical power in a vibrating environment is introduced. The prototype with a volume of 10.8 cm(3) is capable of generating an output power of 41.2 mW peak AC and 13.4 mW with a constant voltage of 3.3 V at an excitation acceleration amplitude of 1 g. For comparison different benchmark parameters are discussed. The normalized power of the developed generator exceeds the values of commercially available devices and devices published up to now by 200% which proofs the importance of an optimized generator design. Examples demonstrate that this output power enables a large field of applications. It is shown that electromagnetic generators are a feasible alternative to batteries and other energy harvesting principles.