An in-depth analysis of rotational and non-rotational piezoelectric energy harvesting beams: A comprehensive review

Abstract Due to the urgent need for sustainable energy around the world, piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) has become very popular due to its capability to harvest electrical energy from ambient mechanical energy. From numerous possible configurations, cantilever-based beams have become very popular among researchers due to their adaptability and structural simplicity. Recently, rotational piezoelectric energy harvesters have gained prominence due to their ability in continuous energy capture from sources such as wind, human motion, and rotating machinery. The aim is to provide more clarity on the underlying concept of energy harvesting models by carefully compiling comprehensive information. In summary, this research performs a comprehensive review on the latest progress in research on rotating and non-rotating PEHs, considering their research background, excitation principles, harvester modes, etc. After a comprehensive investigation, it was found that structures using rotational motions outperformed available energy harvesting designs in such systems.