Multiband elastic wave energy localization for highly amplified piezoelectric energy harvesting using trampoline metamaterials

In this study, we investigate high-performance piezoelectric energy harvesting at multiband frequencies. Previous harvesting platforms were limited to a high-frequency range and exhibited poor electrical performance. Our proposed piezoelectric energy-harvesting platform, which is based on a periodically arranged trampoline metamaterial, exhibits a remarkable electrical output at both low and high frequencies. The proposed harvesting platform broadens the bandgap induced by Bragg scattering in the high-frequency range, and the local resonance is critical in opening a wide bandgap in the low-frequency range. By breaking the periodicity, we generate multiband defect states for flexural wave trapping under fundamental physical phenomena. We experimentally demonstrate flexural wave localization in the defect cavity, while a confined wave is converted into high-performing electrical energy using a piezoelectric element. We measure 1.37 V and 4.05 V as output voltage, and 24.4 & mu;W and 1.28 mW as output power at the 1st and 2nd defect modes, respectively, which are 188% and 400% compared with the bare plate. Our high-power energy-harvesting platform has potential applications as a renewable and sustainable energy source in various fields, such as structural health monitoring, signal processing, and sensors.

Automated summary

In this research, a high-performance piezoelectric energy harvesting platform based on a periodically arranged trampoline metamaterial is proposed. This platform exhibits remarkable electrical output at both low and high frequencies by broadening the bandgap and generating multiband defect states. The experimental results show potential applications in various fields as a renewable and sustainable energy source.