Energy Harvesting from Human Body Motion
A series of projects focused on developing novel hybrid nanogenerators to efficiently scavenge biomechanical energy from diverse human motions for powering wearable and portable electronics.
This comprehensive project explores various innovative approaches to harvest energy from human body motion, addressing the growing need for sustainable power sources for wearable and portable electronics. The work encompasses the design and fabrication of several hybridized nanogenerators, each optimized for different types of human activities, from walking and running to handshaking and wrist motion. Key innovations include a human locomotion-inspired hybrid nanogenerator (WHEM-TENG), a fully-enclosed 3D-printed version with a flexible flux concentrator (FEHN), a high-performance cycloid-inspired electromagnetic energy harvester (CEEH), and a universal self-chargeable power module (USPM) capable of harvesting energy from multiple sources. These devices integrate electromagnetic, triboelectric, and sometimes piezoelectric mechanisms to maximize energy conversion efficiency from low-frequency (≤6 Hz) and low-acceleration (≤1 g) movements. The ultimate goal is to create practical, self-sustainable power solutions that can reduce battery dependency for a wide range of smart devices, from health monitoring sensors to consumer electronics.
- The WHEM-TENG powered a commercial wristwatch for over 6 minutes from just 5 seconds of running.
- The FEHN powered a wristwatch for over 23 minutes from 5 seconds of wrist motion.
- The CEEH delivered an average power of 8.8 mW and powered a stopwatch for over 16 minutes from 5 seconds of hand motion.
- The USPM delivered up to 34.11 mW and successfully charged smartphones, earbuds, and smart bands in real-time from activities like walking and cycling.
The project employed various designs for hybrid nanogenerators to effectively harvest biomechanical energy. The WHEM-TENG was inspired by the swinging motion of a human arm, using a rolling magnetic ball in a curved structure. The FEHN utilized a fully-enclosed, 3D-printed design with a flexible flux concentrator to enhance electromagnetic output from irregular wrist motions. The CEEH introduced a cycloid-curved structure to maximize the velocity of a rolling magnet, thereby increasing the rate of magnetic flux cutting. Finally, the USPM integrated a multiple spring-based mechanical coupling design to achieve high performance from various energy sources, including biomechanical and environmental vibrations. All designs were optimized through simulations and tested under realistic human motion conditions.