Electromagnetic vibration transducers are seen as an effective way of harvesting ambient energy for the supply of sensor monitoring systems. Different electromagnetic coupling architectures have been employed but no comprehensive comparison with respect to their output performance has been carried out up to now. Electromagnetic Vibration Energy Harvesting Devices introduces an optimization approach which is applied to determine optimal dimensions of the components (magnet, coil and back iron). Eight different commonly applied coupling architectures are investigated. The results show that correct dimensions are of great significance for maximizing the efficiency of the energy conversion. A comparison yields the architectures with the best output performance capability which should be preferably employed in applications. A prototype development is used to demonstrate how the optimization calculations can be integrated into the design–flow. Electromagnetic Vibration Energy Harvesting Devices targets the designer of electromagnetic vibration transducers who wishes to have a greater in-depth understanding for maximizing the output performance.

Dirk Spreemann received the Dipl.-Ing. (FH) degree in Physical engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten, in 2005. His diploma thesis focused on miniaturized electromagnetic vibration transducers. Beside the resonant vibration conversion he established one of the first non-resonant conversion mechanisms. While studying Microsystems engineering at the University of Freiburg he worked as a research engineer in the “Energy autonomous systems” group at the Institute of Micromachining and Information Technology HSG-IMIT in Villingen-Schwenningen. In this position he gained considerable experience in developing customized vibration transducers for industrial applications. His research interests lie in the area of micro power generation with a special focus on electromagnetic vibration conversion. In 2011 he received the Dr.-Ing. degree from the University of Freiburg.

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