Steven W. Arms

Wideband vibration energy harvester

In one embodiment a device comprises a composite structure that includes a piezoelectric flexure and a length-constraining element. The length-constraining element provides the piezoelectric flexure with a bowed shape. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowed position and a second stable bowed position. The length-constraining element is one from the group consisting of a planar sheet and a columnar rod. In another embodiment a device comprises a piezoelectric flexure having a bowl shape. The piezoelectric flexure has a first stable bowl-shaped position and a second stable bowl-shaped position.