Buckling suspended graphene nanoribbons to harvest energy from noisy vibrations

Most mechanical vibrations in our environment can be classified as noisy vibrations, since they have no preferred frequency and a spectrum that spreads to the low frequency range. Bistable systems have shown to be a solution to the existing frequency mismatch between the energy source and the harvester device. In this work a parametric study is carried out in order to show the dependence of these improvements with the quality factor Q of a vibrating beam and the different responses when driven by different types of model noise. Specifically, we studied Colored Gaussian Noise instead of the much more common White Gaussian Noise, considered as a reference in most studies.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We model the mechanical behavior of suspended graphene nanoribbons. ► We are able to describe the dynamics of this kind of system. ► The system response to different noises is studied. ► The dependence with the quality factor is considered in terms of harvested electric power.