Modelling and testing of nonlinear energy harvesters
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Engineering Mathematics and Technology
Abstract
This proposal is to fund a four month research visit to the experimental nonlinear mechanics laboratory of Brian Mann at Duke University, USA. The purposes of the visit are: to establish a new collaboration between Bristol and Duke; to develop skills and understanding in the area of experimental design and testing of nonlinear energy harvesters; to develop mathematical models of the existing energy harvesters in Mann's lab that will provide insight for future design work; and to initiate a joint project around the use of mechanical nonlinearities for enhanced energy harvesting in the context of autonomous oceanographic sensor buoys.
Planned Impact
The primary beneficiaries of this proposal outside the academic domain are companies with an interest in commercialising energy harvesting technology. Within the UK, this includes companies such as Perpetuum. They will benefit through the generation of new ideas related to increasing the robustness of energy harvesters to changes in environmental conditions. Engagement with these companies will be through energy harvesting focus events organised by the Sensors and Instrumentation KTN.
Publications
Barton D
(2011)
Control-based continuation for investigating nonlinear experiments
in Journal of Vibration and Control
Khasawneh F
(2011)
Periodic solutions of nonlinear delay differential equations using spectral element method
in Nonlinear Dynamics
Mann B
(2012)
Uncertainty in performance for linear and nonlinear energy harvesting strategies
in Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures
Description | A (now) long standing collaboration with Brian Mann (Duke, USA) was established. Outcomes of this collaboration include the following. (1) The effect of uncertainties (e.g., due to the manufacturing process) on the energy output from energy harvesters was quantified. (2) The control-based continuation method was tested on a range of new devices and produced high-quality results. (3) Further collaborative visits and projects have been initiated. |
Exploitation Route | The methodologies established are of general use to the (research) engineering community. Work is continuing to make these results as straightforward to use as possible. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy |
Description | The findings from this research have been published in appropriate journals and the work used by other people around the world. |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy |
Description | Collaboration with Brian Mann (Duke, USA) |
Organisation | Duke University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with Brian Mann (Duke, USA) |
Start Year | 2009 |