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Optimizing Piezoelectric Bimorphs for Energy Harvesting from Body Motion: Finger Movement in Computer Mouse Clicking

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  • Theetuch Chinachatchawarat

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Theerawat Pattarapongsakorn

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Patitta Ploypray

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Thitima Jintanawan

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

  • Gridsada Phanomchoeng

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
    Micro/Nano Electromechanical Integrated Device Research Unit, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand)

Abstract

Electrical devices are integral to daily life, but limited battery life remains a significant issue. A proposed solution is to convert dissipated energy from human motion into electricity using piezoelectric materials. This study investigates lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) piezoelectric materials in bimorph configuration, conducts performance tests to understand their characteristics and determine the optimal load resistance, and develops an energy-harvesting prototype. Performance tests adjusted input parameters and varied load resistance and input magnitude to optimize power gained from the PZT bimorph. A suitable human movement for the application of the bimorph is a mouse-clicking motion by fingers. A prototype was created by integrating the bimorph into a computer mouse to capture energy from clicks. The results showed that the deformation rate of the PZTs, input magnitude, and resistance load were key factors in optimization. The bimorph configuration produced 0.34 mW of power and 5.5 V at an optimum load of 5072 Ω, requiring less effort to generate electricity. For the computer mouse energy harvester case, it yielded a total average power of approximately 38.4 μW per click with a click frequency of 4 Hz. This power could be used to support IoT devices such as human sensors (e.g., CO 2 , temperature, and pulse sensors) and smart home sensors, enabling comprehensive health and environmental monitoring. In conclusion, input specifications, magnitude, and load resistance are essential for optimizing piezoelectric energy harvesters.

Suggested Citation

  • Theetuch Chinachatchawarat & Theerawat Pattarapongsakorn & Patitta Ploypray & Thitima Jintanawan & Gridsada Phanomchoeng, 2024. "Optimizing Piezoelectric Bimorphs for Energy Harvesting from Body Motion: Finger Movement in Computer Mouse Clicking," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:4121-:d:1459166
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liu, Mingyi & Qian, Feng & Mi, Jia & Zuo, Lei, 2022. "Biomechanical energy harvesting for wearable and mobile devices: State-of-the-art and future directions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
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