Aditya Nanda

Energy harvesting using rattleback: Theoretical analysis and simulations of spin resonance

This paper investigates the spin resonance of a rattleback subjected to base oscillations which is able to transduce vibrations into continuous rotary motion and, therefore, is ideal for applications in Energy harvesting and Vibration sensing. The rattleback is a toy with some curious properties. When placed on a surface with reasonable friction, the rattleback has a preferred direction of spin. If rotated anti to it, longitudinal vibrations are set up and spin direction is reversed. In this paper, the dynamics of a rattleback placed on a sinusoidally vibrating platform are simulated. We can expect base vibrations to excite the pitch motion of the rattleback, which, because of the coupling between pitch and spin motion, should cause the rattleback to spin. Results are presented which show that this indeed is the casethe rattleback has a mono-peak spin resonance with respect to base vibrations. The dynamic response of the rattleback was found to be composed of two principal frequencies that appeared in the pitch and rolling motions. One of the frequencies was found to have a large coupling with the spin of the rattleback. Spin resonance was found to occur when the base oscillatory frequency was twice the value of the coupled frequency. A linearized model is developed which can predict the values of the two frequencies accurately and analytical expressions for the same in terms of the parameters of the rattleback have been derived. The analysis, thus, forms an effective and easy method for obtaining the spin resonant frequency of a given rattleback. Novel ideas for applications utilizing the phenomenon of spin resonance, for example, an energy harvester composed of a magnetized rattleback surrounded by ferromagnetic walls and a small scale vibration sensor comprising an array of several magnetized rattlebacks, are included.

Energy harvesting from arterial blood pressure for powering embedded micro sensors in human brain

This manuscript investigates energy harvesting from arterial blood pressure via the piezoelectric effect for the purpose of powering embedded micro-sensors in the human brain. One of the major hurdles in recording and measuring electrical data in the human nervous system is the lack of implantable and long term interfaces that record neural activity for extended periods of time. Recently, some authors have proposed micro sensors implanted deep in the brain that measure local electrical and physiological data which are then communicated to an external interrogator. This paper proposes a way of powering such interfaces. The geometry of the proposed harvester consists of a piezoelectric, circular, curved bimorph that fits into the blood vessel (specifically, the Carotid artery) and undergoes bending motion because of blood pressure variation. In addition, the harvester thickness is constrained such that it does not modify arterial wall dynamics. This transforms the problem into a known strain problem and the...

One-way sound propagation via spatio-temporal modulation of magnetorheological fluid

This manuscript details the possibility of achieving one-way sound propagation using a smart fluid such as magnetorheological fluid (MRF) by subjecting it to a spatio-temporally varying magnetic field. The local speed of sound in MRF is dependent on applied magnetic field as demonstrated in several experimental works and this property of MRF has been leveraged, in this work, to induce one-way bandgaps. Initially, a general wave equation pertaining to fluid with space-and-time-varying material properties was derived. Assuming plane wave propagation in one dimension, an approximate Floquet solution was imposed and the dispersion relationship was obtained. A comprehensive finite element analysis was conducted and good agreement was noted between the numerical and theoretical dispersion relations. It was concluded that space-time periodic modulation of fluid density and local sound speed is necessary to induce asymmetry in the band diagram around the ω axis. The feasibility of real-world implementation using MRF has been discussed. A parametric study detailing the effect of viscosity on the one-way bandgaps has been undertaken. It was found that one-way bandgaps formed at relatively lower frequencies are more robust to viscous corruption. A real-world implementation may be feasible if the viscosity of MRF is less than 3000 Pa-s.

Uncertainty Quantification of Energy Harvesting Systems Using Method of Quadratures and Maximum Entropy Principle

This paper uses the method of Quadratures in conjunction with the Maximum Entropy principle to investigate the effect of parametric uncertainties on the mean power output and root mean square deflection of piezoelectric vibrational energy harvesting systems. Uncertainty in parameters of harvesters could arise from insufficient manufacturing controls or change in material properties over time. We investigate bimorph based harvesters that transduce ambient vibrations to electricity via the piezoelectric effect. Three varieties of energy harvesters — Linear, Nonlinear monostable and Nonlinear bistable are considered in this research.This analysis quantitatively shows the probability density function for the mean power and root mean square deflection as a function of the probability densities of the excitation frequency, excitation amplitude, initial deflection of the bimorph and magnet gap of the energy harvester. The method of Quadratures is used for numerically integrating functions by propagating weighted points from the domain and evaluating the integral as a weighted sum of the function values. In this paper, the method of Quadratures is used for evaluating central moments of the distributions of rms deflection and mean harvested power and, then, in conjunction with the principle of Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) an optimal density function is obtained which maximizes the entropy and satisfies the moment constraints. The The computed nonlinear density functions are validated against Monte Carlo simulations thereby demonstrating the efficiency of the approach. Further, the Maximum Entropy principle is widely applicable to uncertainty quantification of a wide range of dynamic systems.Copyright

Energy harvesting from arterial blood pressure for powering embedded brain sensors

This paper investigates energy harvesting from arterial blood pressure via the piezoelectric effect by using a novel streaked cylinder geometry for the purpose of powering embedded micro-sensors in the brain. Initially, we look at the energy harvested by a piezoelectric cylinder placed inside an artery acted upon by blood pressure. Such an arrangement would be tantamount to constructing a stent out of piezoelectric materials. A stent is a cylinder placed in veins and arteries to prevent obstruction in blood flow. The governing equations of a conductor coated piezoelectric cylinder are obtained using Hamilton’s principle. Pressure acting in arteries is radially directed and this is used to simplify the modal analysis and obtain the transfer function relating pressure to the induced voltage across the surface of the harvester. The power harvested by the cylindrical harvester is obtained for different shunt resistances. Radially directed pressure occurs elsewhere and we also look at harvesting energy from oil flow in pipelines. Although the energy harvested by the cylindrical energy harvester is significant at resonance, the natural frequency of the system is found to be very high. To decrease the natural frequency, we propose a novel streaked stent design by cutting it along the length, transforming it to a curved plate and decreasing the natural frequency. The governing equations corresponding to the new geometry are derived using Hamilton’s principle and modal analysis is used to obtain the transfer function.

Energy Harvesting Using the Rattleback: Theoretical Analysis and Simulations of Spin Resonance

This paper investigates the spin resonance of a rattleback subjected to base oscillations. The phenomenon of Spin resonance can transduce vibrations to rotations. The rattleback is an ellipsoidal top with a preferred direction of spin. If rotated anti to it, longitudinal vibrations are set up and spin direction is reversed.Simulations and results are presented which show that the rattleback has a mono-peak spin resonance with respect to base vibrations. Two frequencies that appear in the response are identified — the Coupled and Uncoupled frequencies. Spin resonance, it is deduced, occurs when the base frequency is twice the coupled frequency of the rattleback. A linearized model is developed and a closed form expression for the Resonant frequency in terms of the inertia parameters of the rattleback is derived.Novel ideas for applications in Energy harvesting and Vibration sensing that utilize the phenomenon of spin resonance are also included.Copyright