A belt-type low-frequency piezoelectric energy harvester for human abdominal motion energy harvesting

Abstract

Currently, most piezoelectric energy harvesters designed for the human body are worn on parts such as the arms, legs, and feet. These harvesters primarily rely on continuous motion to generate power. However, the human body is often in a non-moving or static state. Research on energy harvesters that can effectively harvest energy during these static periods is relatively less. In this study, we propose a belt-type low-frequency piezoelectric energy harvester (BLPEH), which converts mechanical energy generated by abdominal expansion or chest movement in the stationary state into electrical energy via piezoelectric stacks. A deformable force amplification mechanism (DFAM) is designed, enhancing the energy harvesting efficiency while ensuring comfort in wear. Experiments demonstrate that under the condition of a stationary standing human body, the BLPEH with a single piezoelectric stack generates an open-circuit voltage of 2.674 V and can achieve an average output power of 2.64 µW. Without any energy storage components, the BLPEH can directly illuminate six LED lights. Overall, this design may not only address the energy supply problem for wearable electronic devices but also provide a new method for harvesting human energy.