Journals Proceedings

Abstract

Targeting the frequency of a vibrating source efficiently is the main aim of this research. Also, using an intelligent optimization methodology to improve the power output per unit volume of the harvester is considered. Two case studies of engine vibration and car suspension energy harvesting were investigated. The two optimization methodologies were the genetic algorithm (GA) and COMSOL optimization module (BOBYQA solver). Then, a multi-physics COMSOL was utilized to simulate the results of the COMSOL optimization module and MATLAB was applied to simulate the results of the GA optimization methodology. The analytical simulation of GA and literature results were used to verify the COMSOL results. The power per unit volume of the first case study using COMSOL (FEM) was 67.25×10-3 mW/mm3 versus 60.5×10-3 mW/mm3 for analytical (GA). While, the power per volume of the second case study, using COMSOL (FEM) was 93.8 ×10-3 mW/mm3, versus 81.5 mW/mm3 for analytical (GA). From results we can prove that the COMSOL optimization module introduced about 12% improvement in the output power. Also, the studies of the stresses due to dynamic load were performed to avoid the failure.