The project aims to study and develop the class of devices commonly referred to as Vibration Kinetic Energy Harvesters (KEH). These devices are called to convert the ubiquitous environmental energy from vibrations, with the aim of working in all those applications where low amounts of energy are required (e.g. sensors for Structural Health Monitoring). Among others, most promising materials employed for the energy conversion are Giant Magnetostrictive Materials, such as Galfenol, an Fe-Ga alloy. Different parameters have to be considered in the design of a Vibration KEH. For the sake of example, the mechanical support, the biasing magnets and the electrical loading condition. Also important is the analysis of the conversion performance to vibrations with different amplitudes and frequencies. This task can be carried out with the help of an electrodynamic shaker.

In particular, the student will be called to address the following experimental tasks:

1) design and assemble a cantilever device based on a galfenol sheet, permanent magnets, coil, a plastic holder 3D printed, etc;

2) experimentally characterize the device in our lab, by using a Sentek L0315 electromagnetic shaker able to guarantee a controlled mechanical energy source by which it is possible to set up the frequency range and excitation amplitude.

It is worth highlight that this is a pretty experimental project, as for past MIT projects here at Unisannio in our group.