Optimizing nanoscale energy harvesting with a novel L-shaped nano-beam with nonlocal elasticity and flexoelectric effects

Abstract

This study introduces a novel L-shaped nano-beam energy harvester engineered for efficient vibration-based energy extraction at the nanoscale. The design integrates nonlocal geometric effects and flexoelectric influences, featuring a rectangular proof mass subjected to base excitation. The system’s dynamics are governed by coupled nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) formulated using Eringen’s theory. These equations are discretized into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) through Galerkin’s method and extended Hamilton’s principle, leading to closed-form nonlinear expressions for characteristic voltage and power. The analysis demonstrates that even a minimal increase in nonlocal parameters results in a substantial rise in voltage and power, highlighting the critical importance of size-dependent effects. This study highlights how optimizing quality factors, proof mass inertia, amplitude, forcing, and load resistance significantly enhances the harvester's output. Experimental validation demonstrates strong agreement between theoretical predictions and obtained experimental results. These findings highlight the profound impact of size-dependent and flexoelectric effects on vibration behavior and energy efficiency. The proposed framework offers promising advancements for nanodevices in applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensors, and broadband flexoelectric sensing technologies.