Adjusting the resonant frequency of a PVDF bimorph power harvester through a corrugation-shaped harvesting structure

We propose a corrugated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) bimorph power harvester with the harvesting structure fixed at the two edges in the corrugation direction and free at the other edges. The resonant frequency of a corrugated PVDF bimorph is readily adjusted through changing either its geometrical configuration or the span length, which can keep the harvester operating at the optimal state in environments with different ambient vibrations. The governing equations of a PVDF bimorph with a corrugation shape are derived from the transfer-matrix technique. Statistical results show that the adaptability of a harvester to the operating environment can be improved greatly by designing the harvesting structure with adjustable resonant frequency.