Performance of energy harvesters with parameter mismatch

TL;DR

This paper investigates how parameter mismatches affect the stability of energy harvesters' cross-well motion, providing insights into designing more robust devices that maintain optimal power output despite uncertainties.

Contribution

It introduces a basin stability-based analysis of parameter mismatch effects on energy harvesters, offering practical guidelines for enhancing device robustness.

Findings

Parameter mismatch reduces stability of cross-well motion.

Safe operating ranges identified for different harvester types.

Design recommendations improve robustness against parameter variations.

Abstract

This study explores the impact of parameter mismatch on the stability of cross-well motion in energy harvesters, using a basin stability metric. Energy harvesters, essential for converting ambient energy into electricity, increasingly incorporate multi-well systems to enhance efficiency. However, these systems are sensitive to initial conditions and parameter variations, which can affect their ability to sustain optimal cross-well motion -- a state associated with maximum power output. Our analysis compared four harvester types under varying levels of parameter mismatch, assessing resilience of the devices to parameter variations. By identifying safe operating ranges within the excitation parameter space, this study provides practical guidance for designing robust, stable harvesters capable of maintaining cross-well motion despite parameter uncertainties. These insights contribute to advancing the reliability of energy harvesting devices in real-world applications where parameter mismatches are inevitable.