Electret-based cantilever energy harvester: design and optimization

TL;DR

This paper presents the design, modeling, and optimization of an electret-based cantilever energy harvester, demonstrating a prototype that efficiently converts ambient vibrations into electrical energy.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive modeling and optimization approach for electret-based cantilever harvesters, validated by experimental prototype results.

Findings

Harvests 17μW with 0.2g vibrations

Model predictions align with experimental data

Optimized design improves energy conversion efficiency

Abstract

We report in this paper the design, the optimization and the fabrication of an electret-based cantilever energy harvester. We develop the mechanical and the electrostatic equations of such a device and its implementation using Finite Elements (FEM) and Matlab in order to get an accurate model. This model is then used in an optimization process. A macroscopic prototype (3.2cm^{2}) was built with a silicon cantilever and a Teflon\textregistered electret. Thanks to this prototype, we manage to harvest 17\muW with ambient-type vibrations of 0.2g on a load of 210M{\Omega}. The experimental results are consistent with simulation results.