MEMS Technologies for Energy Harvesting

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to introduce the technology of Microelectromechanical Systems, MEMS, and its application to emerging energy harvesting devices. The chapter begins with a general introduction to the most common MEMS fabrication processes. Next, the chapter follows with a survey of design mechanisms implemented in MEMS energy harvesters to provide nonlinear mechanical actuations. Mechanisms to produce bistable potential will be studied, such as by placing fixed magnets, buckling of beams, or by using slightly slanted clamped-clamped beams. Other nonlinear mechanisms are studied such as impact energy transfer, or the design of nonlinear springs. Finally, due to their importance in the field of MEMS and their application to energy harvesters, an introduction to the actuation with piezoelectric materials is made. Examples of energy harvesters found in the literature using this actuation principle are also presented.