Experimental study on a self-powered piezoelectric sensor under vibration environment

A self-powered piezoelectric sensor is studied as a sensor and power generator under vibration environment. A theoretical model was developed to determine the magnitude of power. The results predicted by the theoretical model were validated by the experimental results. A maximal output power of about 1.3 mW was obtained from the piezoelectric cantilever at the operating frequency of 85 Hz across a resistive load of 15 kOmega with a cyclic stress of 0.1 N. The useful power output of the sensor could power itself as an energy harvesting, and power a wireless sensor network as well.