Nonlocal strain gradient-based meshless collocation model for nonlinear dynamics of time-dependent actuated beam-type energy harvesters at nanoscale

Abstract

There is a diverse and well-constructed application of energy harvesting systems due to their innovate technology to provide the necessary power for low-energy electronics. In this regard, the prime objective of the current study is to analyze the size-dependent nonlinear dynamic performance of piezoelectric beam-type energy harvesters at nanoscale subjected to a time-dependent mechanical uniform load. A laminated structure containing an agglomerated nanocomposite core integrated with top and bottom piezoelectric surface layers is considered for the nanoscale bridge-type energy harvesters. To take the size dependency into account, the nonlocal strain gradient continuum elasticity is formulated based upon a quasi-3D beam theory incorporating the both features of size effects. Thereafter, the size-dependent nonlinear problem is then solved numerically relevant to simply supported and clamped end conditions via employing the meshless collocation technique. Accordingly, the numerical solving procedure is established without any background meshes as well as eliminating the integration and singularity by using proper multiquadric radial basis functions.

Keywords:

• Nonlinear dynamics
• non-classical continuum mechanics
• piezoelectric materials
• nanoscale harvesters
• agglomerated nanocomposites

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, for funding this research work through the project number “IFPRC-047-135-2020” and King Abdulaziz University, DSR, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.