A frequency up-converted magnetostrictive transducer for harvesting energy from finger tapping

We developed a new Galfenol-based MEH using frequency up-conversion. The importance of high vibration frequency and bias magnetic field is emphasized and taken full advantage of in the proposed MEH. The fabricated prototype is capable of harvesting energy from mechanical motions and oscillations regardless of the frequency or velocity of the excitation source. Both mechanical and electrical responses of the prototype have been analyzed. The study is not complete. We are optimizing the design, examining the responses of the MEH under different excitation frequencies and strength, and exploring the effect of external electric loads.