Q-factor Amplification: An Analysis of Damping Mechanisms for Resonant Kinetic Energy Harvesters

Overview

Millions of sensors in bridges and infrastructure require battery replacements every year, which creates toxic waste and consumes resources. However, there is a free source of energy all around us that isn't commonly used: vibrations. My project focuses on increasing the Q-factor (the ability of a vibrating object to hold onto energy without losing it) of metal resonators, for the purpose of increasing energy efficiency of kinetic energy harvesters. I put metal resonators through various tests: changes of temperature and surface topography, to quantify energy lost to damping (heat and friction). I discovered chilling the rods and surface smoothing held the vibrations in the metal resonators longer. This increase in energy containment directly translated to more electricity produced by resonant kinetic energy harvesters (devices that convert vibrations to electricity). By making  energy harvesters more efficient, we can significantly cut the need for disposable batteries and advance a more sustainable future.

Awards (2)

• Special Award
• Selected for CWSF 2026

Competition history

• CWSF 2026 Energy

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