Green Nonlinear Energy Harvester from Vibrations based on Bacterial Cellulose

In this paper, we present a green, biodegradable and eco-friendly energy harvester from wideband mechanical vibrations. The proposed device is based on bacterial cellulose, produced by some bacteria impregnated with ionic liquids, and covered with conducting polymers. Tanks to the mechanoelectrical transduction properties of this composite, power is generated, because of mechanical deformation. Furthermore, in order to increase the generated output voltage and the spectral content of the device, a nonlinear behavior has been implemented. In particular, results and discussion about how this dynamic improves the characteristic of the green energy harvester, compared to a classical resonator are presented. A suitable setup has been conceived, realized, and an experimental campaign has been accomplished obtaining very interesting results.