Harvesting energy from low frequency vibration using MSMA/MFC laminate composite

In this paper, we present an energy harvesting device which generates power from low frequency vibration using a magnetoelectric laminate composite and a springless spherical permanent magnet as a proof mass. The spherical permanent magnet inside a channel transforms an external vibration into time varying magnetic field applied to the magnetoelectric transducer. The magnetoelectric laminate composite consists of a Ni-Mn-Ga-based MSMA (Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy) element and a piezoceramic fiber-based MFC (Macro Fiber Composite). Output characteristics of the device at various input accelerations, frequencies, and directions have been analyzed. Maximum open circuit voltage of 6.56V has been obtained in response to a 3g vibration at 19Hz with the fabricated device. Maximum output voltage of 17.8V and output power of 0.53μW have been achieved for a 232KΩ load, when the fabricated energy harvester was mounted on a smartphone and hand-shaken.