2011 IEEE Conference on Sustainable Utilization and Development in Engineering and Technology (STUDENT)

The University of Nottingham, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia. 20-21 October 2011.

A Hybrid Energy Harvesting System for Small

Battery Powered Applications
35. LITE
Chang Ko Wei
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
The University of Nottingham
Jln Broga, Semenyih
kowei20.01.1989@gmail.c
om
AbstractThis paper presents a process of designing a
hybrid energy harvesting system for small powered battery
applications. The system is constructed with two separate
systems that are the mechanical harvesting system and
piezoelectric harvesting system. They are coupled together
with an efficient power management circuit with the
intention to generate electricity through walking while acting
as a battery charger. The system has shown positive results
when used to charge up a small battery powered electronic
gadget such as a mobile phone.
Index Term: Battery, Piezoelectric, Electronic Gadget,
Renewable
Energy.

9.

INTRODUCTION

Gobb
i
Rama
samy
Department of
Electrical and
Electronic
Engineering
The
University
of
Nottingha
m
Jalan
Broga,
Semeny
ih
gob
bi@
ieee.
org

human movement using

In this information age, there are limitless demands for mechanical arrangement and
energy supply. Boundless energy demands yet with piezoelectric
harvesting
limited natural resources has created a global issue on the system together with an
future energy generation pattern due to depleting natural efficient power management
resources and effects towards the environment [1]. In circuit is used to charge and
order to minimize the consequences caused by the use of keep these electronic devices
natural resources on energy generation such as the running. While not having to
greenhouse effects, the development of renewable energyworry about the battery life
and energy management system has been prioritized. in the electronic instruments,
Nevertheless, these methods had some drawbacks such as consumers are also able to
the high initial and high maintenance cost uponsave the electric energy used
construction. Besides that, obtaining agreements from the from the power source by
authorities before the construction of these generators are harvesting it just from their
part of the challenges as building these generators might daily activity. Although this
create environmental issues to the surrounding such ashuman movement based
deforestation and extinction of animals.
electricity generator would
While these renewable energy generation methods not make a significant
could generate a relatively large power and reduces the change on the amount of
consumption of natural resources, the need for saving natural resources used to
energy is important as it would produce significant effects generate electricity as the
on the long run.
power consumption for these
In fact, there are some electronic gadgets which have small powered electronic
low energy usage which are mostly powered by a battery. instruments are little, yet it
Nevertheless, it has always been a concern towards does make a difference when
consumer where the battery of the electronic device ran it comes to millions of
out of power while they are at places without any powerconsumers as it would help
to charge it. In order to overcome this setback, a human to reduce the consumption of
movement based electricity generator has been proposed energy generated through
to drive these small battery powered devices [2]. The natural resources on the long
generated power source obtained through conversion ofrun.
kinetic energy produced from

RAT
URE
REV
IEW

The science of human

movement which is also
known as kinesiology is a
very important factor in
designing
a
human
movement based electricity
generator [3]. In fact, the
study of kinesiology helps to
enlighten on the pattern of
how the body functions and
moves
[3].
A
better
understanding in kinesiology
would enhance the design of
such human movement
based electricity generator
prototypes. An example of
such human movements is
by walking and the walking
pattern of a normal person is
illustrated in Figure 1.

k = maximum

and minimum
vertical
position of
the waist

Lk = step
length of
the k-th
step
Tk = cycle
time of
the k-th
step

Figure 1: Walking
pattern of a normal
person [4]
This kinetic energy
produced from human
movement can be converted
into another form of useful
energy such as the

978-1-4577-0444-4/11/$26.00 2011
IEEE 165
electric energy according to the conservation of energy
stated in first law of thermodynamics [5]. Estimation on

the amount of potential energy that could be harvested

through human movement such as walking is 5W whereas

breathing and blood pressure are 0.42W and 0.37W

respectively [6]. Examples of such methods that convert
the kinetic energy produced from human movement into
electric energy are the mechanical harvesting system,
piezoelectric harvesting system and other types of
harvesting system merged together with an efficient
power management circuit to store the energy generated.
In fact, the main harvesting methods being investigated
are the mechanical harvesting system as well as the
piezoelectric harvesting method.

obtained from the pressure of each heel strike is utilized

to compress the piezoelectric unimorph installed in the
shoe. In fact, this kinetic energy is converted into
electrical energy via the piezoelectric material due to its
unique characteristics. However, the maximum
conversion efficiency achieved and the peak output power
obtained by this system is only approximately 5% and
80mW respectively. Thus, this piezoelectric shoe is only
capable of powering up the radio frequency tag device
once after every few steps. [9]

A. Mechanical harvesting system

Most of the mechanical harvesting system which
consist of a rotary generator coupled either to a gear or a
shaft with some sort of mechanical arrangement is used to
generate energy from human movement at minimum
effort. Indeed, there is a specially designed shoe which is
able to harvest the kinetic energy obtained from each heel
strike and converts it into electric energy through some
mechanical arrangement together with a generator. The
specially designed shoe which consists of a rotating arm
extending down the sole would drive the mini generator
through a stepped up gearbox. In fact, the linear force of a
heel strike during this walking motion is transformed into
a rotational force by using a rotating arm. This rotational
force obtained is used to turn the generator which is
connected to a gear box at the same time. Hence,
electrical energy is being generated through this process.
Nevertheless, the sudden change in the direction of
rotation during each transition of the linear force of a heel
strike would cause the generated power being unstable. In
addition, this event would also damage the gear in the
mechanical system and leads towards a shortened lifespan
in the gear. [7]

Figure 2: Mechanical shoe generator [7]

B. Piezoelectric harvesting system
The term piezoelectricity which originates from a Greek
word is defined as the gain of electrical energy due to
mechanical force such as pressure or vibration exerted on
the piezoelectric material. Conversely, the piezoelectric
material would either undergo a mechanical deformation
or oscillate when electricity is applied to this piezoelectric
material. These effects occur due to the crystals in the
piezoelectric material have no center of symmetry [8]. In
fact, a shoe with an embedded piezoelectric unimorph is
designed to harvest the kinetic energy obtained from the
pressure of a heel strike in order to eliminate the necessity
of having a battery to power up electronic gadgets. As a
person walk, the kinetic energy

Figure 3: Piezoelectric shoe generator [9]

61. SIMULATION MODEL

AND

EXPERIMENTAL

SETUP
An outline of the system is illustrated in Figure 4 with
a combination of both mechanical harvesting system and
piezoelectric harvesting system together with an efficient
power management circuit has been proposed and
designed in such a way where it overcome the flaws that
present in the previous prototypes reported in literatures.

Figure 4: An outline of the functional prototype

A. Mechanical harvesting system
In the process of designing and constructing a
mechanical harvesting system, two major criterions are
being considered. A walking activity which uses the most
energy compared to all other types of human movement
can be converted into other form of useful energy
according to the conservation of energy stated in the first
law of thermodynamics [4-5]. Hence, the mechanical
harvesting system is designed to harvest the energy from
the walking activity of a person. Apart from that, there is a
common walking pattern among people when they walk
and are usually difficult to be portrayed verbally. This
walking pattern of a normal person shown in Figure 1 is
taken as a reference to design and construct the
mechanical harvesting system. In fact, both these walking
activity and pattern of walking are put into consideration
upon designing the mechanical harvesting system. Thus, a
mechanical harvesting system drawn using AutoCAD as
shown in Figure

1
6
6

5 is designed with reference to the operating principle of a

traditional treadle sewing machine.
Flywheel

Crankshaft

Body support

Figure 5: Sketch of the mechanical harvesting system using

AutoCAD
When a

person walks with the

mechanical harvesting

system equipped on his leg, the crankshaft of this mechanical

harvesting system is being
turned 360 for each step. This
crankshaft which is coupled to a flywheel at its end rotates the
generator in order to convert the kinetic energy from walking
motion into useful electrical energy. However, each walking
step is only able to turn the crankshaft once and consequently
the generator which has
the same wheel
ratio with the
flywheel revolves only once for each walking step.
Consequently, the generator would only generate low power
due to the low revolution speed in the generator. Therefore,
the principle used for wheel transmission design for different
revolution speed in automotives such as cars and bicycles are
employed.
d
driver
number of revolutionsdriven
(1)
d

driven
number of revolutionsdriver
The transmission formula which is given by equation (1)
where d represents the diameter is used to calculate the wheel
size of the generator and the flywheel [7]. In order to turn the
generator three times with just a revolution from the flywheel
for higher power generation, a flywheel with diameter of three

times the diameter of generator is required as shown in the

Figure 6.

Figure 6: Wheel transmission [10]

On top of that, the number of revolutions transmitted to the
generator is an important aspect upon deciding on the most
suitable generator for the mechanical harvesting system. In
order to carry on with the generator selection process, a few
assumptions have to be made. Examples of such assumptions
are the walking speed of a person with an average of 2 steps
per second
or a step from a single leg
and a wheel
transmi
ssion
ratio of
1:3
would
be able
to turn
the
generat
or

per minute with extra tolerance. Thus, the generator chosen is

a permanent magnet DC motor. This generator would be able
to generate a DC supply of 5V when the generator is being
rotated at the speed of 180 revolutions per minute [11].
However, a generator with such rating is not widely available
in the market and hence another motor which has similar
specifications with a rated DC voltage of 12V and a rated
speed of 330 revolutions per minute is selected. Although a
generator can be designed according to the required
specifications, yet it is not designed and built due to the lack
of instruments available [11].
Last but not least, the solid material used to construct the
be selected
designed mechanical
system has
harvesting
to
wisely. In fact, there are a lot of parameters being considered
material selection process such
as the density,
during the
strength, and price of the material.
mechanical harvesting
system has a
In summary, the
relatively high efficiency in converting the
kinetic energy
from human movement into electrical energy. In fact, the
efficiency can be further improved by increasing the walking
speed and force exerted due to the inertia of the generator. At
lower walking speed and force exerted, most of the kinetic
energy is used to overcome the inertia of the generator while
at higher walking speed and force exerted, only a part of the
kinetic energy is used to overcome the inertia of the generator
and the remaining energy is converted into electrical energy
mechanical harvesting system. Hence, a higher
through the
walking speed and a higher force give a higher efficiency on
the mechanical harvesting system.
B. Piezoelectric harvesting system
A few conditions are also being considered in the process
of designing and constructing a piezoelectric harvesting
system. This piezoelectric harvesting system is designed
where it harvest the
energy from the walking activity of a
person in order to work together with
the mechanical
harvesting system. During a walking motion, the force from
the weight of a person is mainly concentrated on the pressure
of a heel strike. This mechanical force could be exerted on a
piezoelectric material to convert this kinetic energy into
electrical energy due to the piezoelectric effect taking place in
a piezoelectric material. Hence, this piezoelectric material is
placed on the sole of the footwear as shown in Figure 7 to
maximize the amount of energy harvested due to the impact of
a heel strike when a person is walking.

Figure 7: Sole of the footwear for placing piezoelectric

for 3 revolutions in one second or 180 revolutions in a minute

[7]. In fact, an ideal generator in this situation should have a
rated DC voltage of 10V and a rated speed of 360 revolutions

The mechanical force from the weight of a person could be

used as a vibration or compression
source for the piezoelectric
material [12]

167
material placed on the sole of the footwear. Although
there are many operating mode which can be used for a
piezoelectric harvesting system, yet the commonly used
methods are the d33 compression mode or the d31
vibration mode as shown in Figure 8 [8]. Examples of
such methods in practice are a piezoelectric material
located on the sole of the footwear is either positioned on
a surface in order to absorb the pressure of a heel strike
for a d33 compression mode or positioned in a cantilever
form with the intention of exposing it to the vibration
from the impact of a heel strike for a d31 vibration mode.
On the one hand, a d33 compression mode would
generate higher power as compared to a d31 vibration
mode with the same amount of input parameters due to
the natural characteristics of the piezoelectric effect [8].
Therefore, the piezoelectric harvesting system is designed
to operate under d33 compression mode by placing it on
the sole of the footwear with the surface of the
piezoelectric material being exposed to the pressure of a
heel strike such that it converts this wasted kinetic energy
into usable electrical energy.

Figure 8: Common operating mode of a piezoelectric

material [8]
An efficient piezoelectric material which would be
used for the designed piezoelectric harvesting system to
convert the kinetic energy into usable electrical energy
has to be chosen wisely. Examples of such piezoelectric
materials are the quartz which exists naturally and lead
zirconate titanate which is crafted artificially. Although
they belong to the same piezoelectric material family, yet
they exhibit different characteristics in terms of density,
piezoelectric voltage constant, electromechanical coupling
coefficient, and price of the material. In fact, these
parameters are being considered during the piezoelectric
material selection process.
In brief, the piezoelectric harvesting system has a
relatively low efficiency in converting the kinetic energy
from human movement into electrical energy. In fact, the
efficiency can be enhanced by increasing the force
exerted on the piezoelectric material to further compress
it. At higher force exerted, the piezoelectric material is
compressed deeper as compared to a lower force exerted.
When the piezoelectric material is being compressed at
higher state, the amount of electricity generated is higher
and this would lead towards an increase of efficiency in
the piezoelectric harvesting system. Thus, a higher force
would present a higher efficiency on the piezoelectric

harvesting system.
C. Efficient power management circuit
In spite of the necessity of having an optimized
mechanical harvesting system and piezoelectric
harvesting system, efficient power management circuits
are also vital in achieving highest efficiency possible in
the energy harvesting systems. A few aspects are being
considered in the process of designing

and constructing the efficient power management circuits.

Examples of such parameters are the power generated by
each of the harvesting system which would be the input
source for the efficient power management circuits as
well as the output source required by the load regulated
by the respective circuits.
Several circuits using basic circuit topology as well as
some other circuits employing integrated circuits (IC)
which all are coupled together with a full wave bridge
rectifier are proposed with reference to the key parameters
such as the power generated by each of the harvesting
system which would be the input source for the efficient
power management circuits as well as the output source
required by the load regulated by the respective circuits.
Each of these circuits comes with different usage and
functionality except with a common objective which is to
achieve the maximum efficiency for each of the
harvesting system.
In fact, the most optimized efficient power
management circuit for the mechanical harvesting system
and piezoelectric harvesting system are both the capacitor
bank respectively as they present the highest efficiency
among all other circuits. However, the efficiency of all the
proposed circuits are relatively low due to the low power
generated by the harvesting systems used to overcome the
threshold of the components in the circuits.

prototype is shown in Figure 9. Almost every event

possibility is taken into account upon designing and
constructing process this prototype in order to attain the
most optimized system.

Figure 9: A complete human movement based

electricity generator for battery charger applications
prototype

IV. SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

A complete human movement based electricity
generator for battery charger applications prototype with a
combination of both mechanical harvesting system and
piezoelectric harvesting system together with their
respective efficient power management circuits is
assembled and merged. This entire human movement
based electricity generator for battery charger applications
A. Generator
The generator which is a combination of both
mechanical harvesting system and piezoelectric harvesting
system together with their respective efficient power
management circuits is employed to operate as a portable
power supply. In fact, the mechanical harvesting system
harvests the kinetic energy from the walking activity of a
person and at the same time the piezoelectric harvesting
system harvests the pressure of a heel strike due to the
force produced by the weight of a person are all converted
into electrical energy. Then, this electrical energy
generated is processed with their respective efficient power
management circuit in order to obtain a regulated power
source for different loads.

B. Load
The electrical
energy generated is
not being wasted
and dissipated as
heat. A common
method used is by
storing
this
electrical energy in
an energy storage
device which acts
as
a
load.
Examples of such
energy
storage
devices commonly
used to store this
electrical energy

are the
capacit
ors and
batterie
s.
Howev
er,
capacit
ors are
only
used as
a
tempor
ary
energy
storage
device
due to
its

1
6
8

Figure 10: Experimental setup on the practicability of

the complete prototype

higher
rate
of
self
discharge as compared to
batteries [14]. Therefore,
batteries are used as long
term energy storage device
to store this electrical
energy due to its relatively
low rate of self discharge
although
the
process
involved in charging a
battery is much more
complicated as compared
to a capacitor [14].
There are different
types of batteries used as
energy storage device such
as the lithium-ion battery
and
nickel
cadmium
battery. In fact, all these

batteries exhibit different

characteristics even though
they are energy storage
devices.
Table 1: State of charge in
a battery for a period of
time taken to charge
different types of batteries
using
the
complete
prototype
Types of battery
Nickel Cadmium
Lithium-Ion
Mobile phone using
Lithium-Ion

10
minutes
2%
6%
5%

Time ta
20
minut
4%
9%
8%

Voltag
e, V

22. P
R
A
C
T
I
C
A
B
I
L
I
T
Y

A case study is
done in order to
investigate on the
feasibility of the
complete
prototype. In fact,
the
person
involved in testing
this
complete
prototype weighs
60kg with a height
of 163cm. The
battery level in a
mobile
is
monitored
throughout
the
whole day when a
person is using this
prototype
as
compared to a
person
without
using
this
prototype.
The
experiment is setup
as shown in Figure
10 and the results
are
shown
in
Figure 11 and
Figure 12 as well
as tabulated in
Table 2.

en
t
ca
se
st
ud
y
Case study

A person without using prototype

to charge the mobile phone
A
person using the prototype to
Time, minute
charge the mobile phone
Figure 11: Output

generat
ed
voltage
of the
comple
te
prototy
pe
without
mobile
phone

The amount of energy

saved while using this
prototype is approximately
2 watt hour in a day. In
fact, this amount of energy
would cost more or less at
28cents for every kilowatt
hour according to TNB
tariff as of 1st April 2011.
If this amount of energy is
saved every day by using
the prototype, the amount
of energy and money
Voltage
, Vsaved approximately in a
month would be 60 watt
hour
and
2cents
respectively. When

Time, minute

Figure 12: Output generated

voltage
of the
comple
te
prototy
pe with
mobile
phone
Table 2: State of

c
h
ar
g
e
in
a
b
at
te
r
y
o
f
a
m
o
bi
le
p
h
o
n
e
at
di
ff
er

169

the amount of user increases, the amount of energy and

money saved in total would be very constructive.
An example can be seen when it is assumed that one
million people are using this prototype to charge and
power up their mobile phones. The total amount of energy
and money saved by utilizing this prototype is
approximately 60000 kilowatt hour and RM16810 in a
month respectively. In fact, this total amount of energy
saved is only considered for mobile phones whereas there
are some others electronic gadgets which can be powered
and charged up using the same prototype. This would
further increase the amount of energy saved by using this
prototype. Hence, the prototype has demonstrated its
potential in harvesting energy from human movement
with the intention to save energy.

role in generating a power source, yet the efficient power

management circuits are essential in processing and
regulating in order to produce a more constant supply.
Besides that, the practicability of this prototype is
experimented. When a person is using this prototype to
charge the battery in the mobile phone throughout the day,
the battery level does not decrease and at the same time
increases from an initial 50% to 69% state of charge.
Hence, this prototype has demonstrated the feasibility on
energy harvesting from human movement and the
potential of this prototype as an endless power source for
charging and powering up low powered electronic
gadgets. Even though the amount of resources saved such
as energy and money are rather trivial in the short term,
yet the impact would be notable on the long run.
REFERENCES

VI. DISCUSSIONS
This fully functional prototype charges up a Nickel
Cadmium battery and a Lithium Ion battery with an initial
0% state of charge up to a 5% state of charge and with an
initial 0% state of charge up to a 11% state of charge
within 30 minutes in a battery respectively.
In fact, experiments are being conducted in order to
investigate on the practicability of the prototype. An
example on the practicability of the archetype is shown
when a person is using the prototype as compared to a
person without using the prototype. When a person is
using this prototype to charge the battery in the mobile
phone throughout the day, the battery level increases to
69% with an initial 50% state of charge whereas when a
person is not using this prototype to charge the battery in
the mobile phone throughout the day, the battery level
reduces to 16% with a 50% initial state of charge.
On the one hand, there are several flaws in this
prototype. It is noticeable that this prototype would
impede the movement of the wearer slightly although it is
designed based on the walking pattern of a normal person.
Despite that, the mechanical structure of the prototype can
be further improved and designed to eliminate the
obstruction caused by the prototype.
Nevertheless, this prototype has illustrated the
feasibility on energy harvesting from human movement as
well as the potential of this prototype as a boundless
power source for charging and powering up low powered
electronic gadgets. Although the amount of resources
saved such as energy and money are rather trivial in the
short term, yet the impact would be notable on the long
run.
VII. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, the proposed prototype has clearly
demonstrated its ability to charge up a mobile phone. This
project integrates both the mechanical harvesting system
and piezoelectric harvesting system in order to convert
kinetic energy from human movement into electrical
energy while at the same time the electrical energy
generated is processed by their respective efficient power
management circuits. Although both the harvesting
systems are playing an important

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