Modeling and experimental verification of magneto‐mechanical energy harvesting device based on construction steel

The concept of energy harvesting through ambient vibrations has seen significant rise in academic interest as it allows wireless or portable systems to be autonomous and self-sufficient in terms of energy requirement. Ambient sources of vibration involve vibrations from bridges, skyscrapers, rail tracks, machines, motors, shafts and body of cars or ships etc. Thus, the harvested energy depends on the nature and amplitude of vibration available.
The concept in discussion focuses on magneto-strictive energy harvesting technique due to its higher energy density as compared to piezoelectric. The
project aims at the development of a stress dependent reluctance network model to determine the effect of mechanical stress on magnetization curves and for simulating the energy conversion process, as well as measurement of the power density obtainable from the test material. Construction steel has been utilized for energy harvesting application because of its practical applications in bridges, buildings and rail tracks etc.