Development of solutions for simultaneous passive suppression of vibrations and energy harvesting

• Grant number: 24/22276-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Civil Engineering - Structural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Guilherme Rosa Franzini
• Grantee: Lívia Rampinelli Bozzo
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/02995-9 - Numerical, analytical and experimental studies on passive control of vibrations and energy harvesting, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

Usually, structural oscillations are undesired, provided they can reduce the lifespan due to fatigue. Hence, solutions for mitigating the vibrations correspond to a relevant research topic.Renewable energy is one of the major challenges in modern engineering. In this scenario, energy harvesting from structural oscillations using, for instance, piezoelectric materials is an interesting alternative for low-power sensors and equipments.In devices for passive suppression of vibrations (those that do not need energy input), it is common to couple sub-systems or sub-structures to the host one (structure to be controlled). The motion of the latter induces dynamic responses on the suppressor that, in their turn, can be exploited for energy harvesting. Notice that, in the perfect working, a control system stops the vibration of the main structure. This would stops the source for energy harvesting purposes.In the last 20 years, the scientific community has put efforts in the inclusions of nonlinearities to the passive suppressions systems as a way for improving their efficiency. A similar comment can be made regarding the energy harvesting solutions.The present research project aims at the development of a family of solutions for the simultaneous energy harvesting and passive suppression of vibrations. Nonlinearities will be included as a way for improving the efficiency. The structural systems, as well as the dynamic phenomena to be considered will be defined during the research. The methodology combines numerical, analytical and experimental studies.At the end of the project, conceptual designs will be obtained. Curves and tables showing the corresponding performances as functions of the parameters of the mathematical model will be obtained as well. In addition, experimental data will be obtained from laboratory tests. It is important to highlight that there is room for innovative solutions.