A high-performance passive galloping-driven dielectric elastomer generator for micro-wind energy harvesting

Achieving both a low startup wind speed and high output power remains a key challenge for wind energy harvesters in self-powered systems. Therefore, a galloping-driven dielectric elastomer generator (G-DEG) is proposed by integrating a mechanical energy extraction component (MEEC) with dual DEG units. A trapezoidal-section cylinder combined with low-stiffness springs enables self-excited galloping at 1.2 m/s, generating large-amplitude (11 cm) and low-frequency (0.9 Hz) oscillations, which are efficiently converted into electricity via a fully passive AC-mode DEG. Experimental results show that the device initiates power generation at 1.4 m/s and achieves a peak output of 23 mW at 2.0 m/s, significantly outperforming existing low-speed wind energy harvesters. When integrated with a power management circuit, the system can reliably power a wireless environmental monitoring module, demonstrating strong potential for distributed self-powered systems.