Modeling and analysis of a bimorph piezoelectric cantilever beam for voltage generation

Piezoelectric materials (PZT) have shown the ability to convert mechanical forces into an electric field in response to the application of mechanical stresses or vice versa. This property of the materials has found extensive applications in a vast array of areas including sensors and actuators. The study presented in this paper targets the modeling of a PZT bender for voltage and power generation by transforming ambient vibrations into electrical energy. This device can potentially replace the battery that supplies the power in a microwatt range necessary for operating sensors and data transmission. One of the advantages is that it is maintenance-free over a long time span.