A dual-function nonlinear electromechanical oscillator for thermal sensing and vibration energy harvesting

Abstract This paper presents the development and experimental validation of a novel nonlinear electromechanical oscillator that simultaneously enables vibration energy harvesting and thermal sensing. The originality lies in exploiting temperature-induced axial forces, arising from boundary conditions, as a mechanism to shift the system’s natural frequency. Such modulation directly affects the piezoelectric transducer output, allowing the device to function as a dual-purpose structure for both sensing and energy harvesting. To characterize the three-domain multiphysics behavior, a mathematical model is developed using modal analysis and the harmonic balance method, capturing the nonlinear dynamic response with a fidelity confirmed experimentally. A sensitivity analysis reveals the key parameters that govern electrical power output, offering insights for design optimization as a function of the selected application. Beyond demonstrating the feasibility of the dual-function approach, the results open perspectives for active thermal load control and multiphysics extensions to other domains.