Power harvesting scheme based on piezoelectricity and nonlinear deflections

An energy harvesting device comprising:

• a mass;
• and
• a means coupled to the mass and to a reference, the means comprising a piezoelectric material that is mechanically stressable upon deflection, wherein the means are arranged about the mass such that the mass is moveable within an at least essentially straightline path relative to the reference,
• whereby the movement of the mass causes the stressing of the piezoelectric material thereby resulting in the generation of an electric charge.

A method of storing an electrical charge in an energy harvesting device comprising a mass;

• at least two tethers, at least one of which comprises a piezoelectric material that is mechanically stressable upon deflection of the at least two tethers, wherein each of the at least two tethers comprise a first end coupled to the mass and a second end coupled to a reference, wherein the tethers are arranged about the mass such that the mass is moveable within an at least essentially straightline path relative to the reference, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
• a) moving the mass to cause the deflection of the at least two tethers and generate an electrical charge;
• and
• b) storing the electrical charge generated by movement of the mass.