Geometry and shape optimization of piezoelectric cantilever energy harvester using COMSOL multiphysics software

Abstract

In embedded systems that necessarily require a steady source of power and (or) attaches to a sensor(s), there are opportunities to mix small batteries to supply such power. The aim of this research is to optimize the geometry and shape of piezoelectric cantilevers to harvest more power. Several piezoelectric cantilever geometries with various shapes (rectangular, triangular, circular, and trapezoidal cross section) are tested in COMSOL multiphysics simulator to find the best geometry that provides the highest accomplishable power. The most efficient geometry was found to be conferred by the trapezoidal, cross section cantilever. Next, another improvement method was applied to maximize the harvested power of the cantilever by modifying the shape of the trapezoidal cantilever structure through increasing the number of its faces. The results demonstrated that the highest output power (36 mW) was produced by the four faces, trapezoidal cross section design of cantilever.