Stochastic dynamics of vibro-impact systems with applications in energy harvesting
Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/vienergyharvest
This multidisciplinary project is an international collaboration between Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton, UK, in the area of applied mathematics, nonlinear dynamics and energy harvesting with soft electroactive polymers. The project will address gaps and opportunities in mathematical developments and in practical applications for impact-based engineering devices and systems with non-smooth dynamics, critical for understanding the harvesting of vibrational energy. The main research objective is to develop a universal suite of mathematical methodologies for the analysis and optimized performance of deterministic and stochastic non-smooth engineering systems. These approaches are pursued with a focus on practical engineering models of vibro-impacting energy harvesting systems and nonlinear dynamic dampers, within the broad area of targeted energy transfer. Integrating novel nonlinear, stochastic, and computational approaches with experimental and real-world data both for energy harvesting and for devices that mitigate vibration will pave new pathways for analysis-based design and model validation.
SUMMERS: Opportunities for undergraduate Research:
In Summer 2021 and 2023, undergraduate researchers have worked with the international team at Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and Heriot-Watt University/ University of Southampton/ISVR in the area of applied mathematics, nonlinear dynamics and energy harvesting with soft electro-active polymers. Specific projects have include: Learning nonlinear dynamical analysis and computational methods, in order to study bifurcations in vibro-impacting energy harvesting systems and nonlinear dynamic dampers. With this expertise, they have explored the impact of variation in design parameters for the devices on their performance and energy output. They have also have the opportunity to compare how different types of input – noisy or regularly fluctuating – can benefit or disrupt the dynamics and the energy profile. Extensions have been used in a new type of Targeted Energy Transfer, based on the vibro-impact design, for passive broadband damping of damaging large fluctuations. See results on the above webpage, which includes publications from undergraduate teams.