Modeling and experimental validation of levitating systems for energy harvesting applications

The diamagnetic levitation principle is used to design an innovative typology of suspension for energy harvesting devices applied to very low frequency vibrating environments. The static configuration of the magneto-structural coupling is investigated starting from the theory of magnetism and a discrete numerical model is finally developed. The experimental validation is provided with measurements conducted by dedicated samples with a diamagnetic proof mass levitating in a magnetic field generated by permanent magnets. The results presented in this work provide important indications to the designer of microsystems for energy harvesting and the modeling approach proposed represent a valid design tool for coupled systems.