Energy harvesters for powering wireless systems

This chapter focuses on the strategies and the devices used to convert energy present in the environment into electricity to supply sensors and transceivers for wireless and mobile applications. The discipline known as ‘energy harvesting’ is proving to be the first relevant response to the need for power supply without the use of wire connections and batteries. Many transduction principles have been investigated, and a number of design solutions have been described in the literature. This chapter aims to provide the tools for the static and dynamic design of energy harvesters, with particular focus on kinetic generators. Some innovative design solutions are also introduced, and the most attractive modelling and simulation strategies are described.