Development and Characterization of an Aeroelastic Instability Energy Harvester

Development of new renewable energy sources has become paramount in the battle againstrising energy consumption and prices, environmental destruction, and global climate change.However, prior research efforts have indicated an aeroelastic instability energy harvester(AIEH) is capable of generating more than 70 mW of power at 4 mph wind (below thecut-in speed of any wind turbine). The AIEH has shown an enhancement in performancein the presence of a bluff body (contrary to turbines) and a non-linear increase in powerproduction with an increase in wind speed. It also allows the consumer to choose the extentof investment cost (less than $50 for parts), with minimal maintenance cost. The intent ofthis thesis work is to gain a better understanding of AIEHs in a number of different ways:characterizing the limit-cycle oscillation (LCO) experienced by an AIEH; validating the beliefthat an active smart material may enhance the power density of an AIEH; validating andcharacterizing the enhanced performance exhibited by AIEHs in the presence of a bluff body.In the short term AIEHs are expected to be of particular utility for powering remote civilinfrastructure sensor systems. In the long term they may have the potential to become aviable, new, renewable energy technology with power generation levels appropriate to societalenergy needs. Also, its relatively low investment and maintenance cost has the potential tomake this technology ideal for third world applications