Development of a novel coupled-mode fluttering energy harvester through electromagnetic coupling and dielectric elastomer generator

The topic of the research is the development of a novel energy harvester exploiting fluids in motion. FLEHAP device (Fluttering Energy Harvester for Autonomous Powering, patent pending), conceived and developed at DIFI of University of Genova, is an aeroelastic flutter-based system of an airfoil exploiting an electromagnetic coupling (EMc) and smart materials to extract electrical energy from the wind. It is performed the experimental study of the aeroelastic system through different prototypes, highlighting the main operating parameters and their correlations, analyzing the kinematics and the fluid dynamics aspects. The design of Dielectric Elastomer Generator materials (DEGs), their realization, characterization and application in the FLEHAP device are carried out. Electrical conversion and storage solutions are investigated for both the EMc and DEGs. The topics discussed are developed in terms of Research and direct technological application