Researcher ORCID Identifier

0009-0003-5751-8994

Graduation Year

2024

Date of Submission

4-2024

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Physics

Reader 1

Janet Sheung

Reader 2

Chiu-Yen Kao

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2024 Christopher Ibarra

Abstract

The recent development and application of energy harvesters continues to be driven by advancements in ultra-low power circuits and wireless sensing units[1], yet their potential has not been investigated in the context of automotive systems. Electromagnetic vibration energy harvesting (EVEH) systems offer a promising solution for power sources through alternative means. Drawing parallels to regenerative braking in electric vehicles, EVEH systems aim to harness wasted mechanical energy through the application of electromagnetic principles.

This study combines experimental and computational approaches to assess the feasibility of EVEH systems in automotive suspension systems. Experimental procedures involve the fabrication of a representative car suspension system and modifications to simulate road conditions, alongside computational simulations to predict results and test various conditions. However, the results obtained were inconclusive due to non-ideal behavior of electronic components, including power supply interference and op-amp sensitivity. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of EVEH technology in automotive applications are promising, warranting further research and innovation to address technical hurdles and realize its full potential in sustainable energy solutions.

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