A Green Electromagnetic Energy Harvester with Up-Frequency and Unidirectional Rotation for Smart Pavement

Smart pavement is composed of a monitor network, communication network, data center, and energy supply system, and it requires reliable and efficient energy sources to power sensors and devices. The mechanical energy is wasted and dissipated as heat in traditional pavement; this energy can be reused to power low-power devices and sensors for smart pavement. Mechanical energy harvesting systems typically perform through electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and triboelectric methods. Among the different methods, electromagnetic harvesters stand out for their higher output power. However, current electromagnetic harvesters face challenges such as bulky designs, low power density, and high input displacement requirements. This study proposed a green electromagnetic harvester (GEH) based on up-frequency and a unidirectional rotation mechanism to harvest mechanical energy from the pavement. A prototype was designed and prepared. The influence of different parameters on the electrical performance of the harvester was studied by using an MTS test instrument and simulation methods. The results demonstrate that increasing the frequency and optimizing the magnetic array significantly enhances electrical output. The open-circuit voltage in the N-S mode is 3.1 times higher than that in the N-N mode. At a frequency of 9 Hz and a displacement of 3.0 mm, the open-circuit voltage of the GEH is 6.73 V, the maximum power output is 171.14 mW, the peak power density is 1277.16 W/m³, and the voltage has almost no decay after 100,000 cycles. Further, the application of the GEH in charging sensors and capacitors was demonstrated, which indicates the potential of a GEH to power sensors for smart roads.