A cost-effective planar electromagnetic energy harvesting transducer

This paper presents a planar multi-pole electromagnetic energy harvesting transducer. We report on the design, manufacture, and performance results of integrated devices based on this transducer. The transducer leverages recent advancements in the manufacture of multi-pole magnets and can be implemented in a very cost effective manner using printed circuit board (PCB) technology. The basic transducer can be used for energy harvesting devices using a linear vibration or direct force input. This paper reports on a device that uses a direct force input that displaces the proof mass and then releases it, allowing it to freely oscillate. The device performance closely matches simulation and results in 11 mJ of generated energy and an efficiency of 9%.