Power Harvesting Scheme Based on Piezoelectricity and Nonlinear Deflections

A method of storing an electrical charge in a wide bandwidth energy harvesting device, the wide bandwidth energy harvesting device comprising a proof mass capable of moving in a large deflection amplitude and a plurality of tethers arranged around the proof mass to support the proof mass in a center, wherein at least one of the plurality of tethers comprises a piezoelectric material that is mechanically stressable upon deflection of the plurality of tethers, wherein the tethers are stretchable in response to external vibrations, and wherein each of the plurality of tethers has a first end connected to the proof mass and a second end connected to a reference, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• a) subjecting the energy harvesting device to ambient vibrations to move the proof mass in the large deflection amplitude, wherein movement of the proof mass causes the plurality of tethers to deflect and stretch in response to the ambient vibrations, thereby generating an electrical charge;
• and
• b) storing the electrical charge generated by movement of the proof mass.