In two recent studies [1; 2], the authors have presented the concept and the analytical modeling framework for a scalable wind micro-power generator. The device transforms wind energy into electricity via the self-excited oscillations of a piezoelectric reed embedded within a cavity. Based on the model developed in [2], this effort utilizes the Routh-Hurwitz criterion and numerical algorithms to understand the influence of the design parameters on the device’s response with the goal of minimizing the cut-on wind speed and maximizing the output power. Results indicate that, for a beam of certain design parameters, there exists an optimal chamber volume that minimizes the cut-on wind speed of the device. This optimal volume is inversely proportional to the beam’s first modal frequency. Results also indicate that the cut-on wind speed can be decreased significantly as the aperture’s width is decreased. However, due to the reduced strain rate in the piezoelectric layer, it is observed that minimizing the cut-on wind speed does not always correspond to an increase in the output power. As such, in an attempt to study the influence of the design parameters on the output power, design charts were constructed to select the optimal design parameters for a known average wind speed. Experimental results are also presented to qualitatively verify the theoretical trends.

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