Development of an AA size energy transducer with micro resonators

This paper presents the preliminary design and experimental results of a standard AA size vibration-induced micro energy transducer which is integrated with a power-management circuit. The generator is a spring mass system which uses laser-micromachined copper springs to convert mechanical energy into electrical power by Faraday´s Law of Induction. A power-management circuit is used to step up the AC output and act as a reservoir to store the electrical energy generated. Our goal is for the generator to provide 3 V DC output with low input mechanical frequencies, and to produce enough power for low-power wireless applications. Potential applications for this micro power generator to serve as a power supply for infrared transmission and radio frequency transmission was proved to be possible with input frequencies below 100 Hz and amplitudes be 250 microns.