Magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composite arrays for human motion energy harvesting

Abstract As scientific and technological advancements continue to accelerate, addressing the challenges of high mass volume, limited lifespan, and environmental pollution in conventional battery-based energy supplies has emerged as a critical research focus. This paper presents a novel magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composite array designed for harvesting human motion energy. The proposed system is capable of effectively gathering mechanical energy from human movement and converting it into electrical energy, thereby providing a sustainable power supply for portable electronic devices. Based on a thorough theoretical investigation of magneto-mechano-electric (MME) transduction principles, we derived the relationship between the voltage output of the composite array and its material properties. Material characterization confirmed the feasibility of Fe-Co-V alloy as an efficient magnetoelectric (ME) composite material for energy harvesting applications. A dedicated ME coefficient testing platform was developed to evaluate both individual composite elements and the full array configuration, revealing superior ME coupling performance in the latter. To optimize the array design, COMSOL was employed to simulate and analyze the influence of different bias magnet placements on the magnetic field distribution within the magnetostrictive layer. Experimental trials were subsequently conducted to characterize the voltage output under various conditions. The results demonstrated that the composite array can reliably harvest energy across a range of relative motion directions, achieving a peak voltage of approximately 11 V and a power output of 376 μW at a 0° motion angle and high speed. The developed collector exhibits several advantageous features, including miniaturization, high signal output, portability, and extended operational lifespan. Thus, this article emphasizes the applicability of magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composite arrays in human motion energy harvesting, providing new solutions for the development of novel practical energy harvesting methods.