Multi-Source Power Harvester for Cyborg Micro Air Vehicle

The purpose of the reported research is to study the implementation of a sub-one gram, multisource energy harvester, for use on a Cyborg Micro Air Vehicle (CMAV). The CMAV would combine a biological flight platform with onboard communications, flight control, and power generation, providing a useful surveillance and reconnaissance vehicle. The biological platform chosen in this research is the Manduca sexta (Hawkmoth). A multisource energy harvester consisting of photovoltaic cells and a piezoceramic beam is discussed, enabling energy harvesting from vibration as well as ambient light. This paper discusses the results of those investigations and addresses the difficulties in creating the energy harvesting system.