Presenter: Florian Sabatini

Faculty Sponsor: Ashwin Ramasubramaniam

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Mechanical Engineering

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, 163, C12

ABSTRACT

Wearable devices enable continuous health monitoring and activity tracking but remain constrained by finite battery life and the need for frequent charging, limiting long-term usability and user convenience. This project investigates the feasibility of harvesting energy from human motion using an eccentric-mass axial flux printed circuit board (PCB) motor designed specifically for wearable applications. Accelerometer data collected during human walking was used to drive a dynamic system model developed in MATLAB, enabling coupled simulation of mechanical motion and electrical power generation. Motor geometry and electrical parameters were selected and refined through an iterative modeling process informed by physical constraints, expected operating conditions, and wearable form-factor considerations. Electrical power output was estimated using established analytical relationships for axial flux motor behavior. Simulation results indicate that, under idealized conditions, the proposed system is capable of generating power levels comparable to the average energy consumption of a smartwatch during typical operation. While mechanical losses, bearing friction, and power-conversion inefficiencies have not yet been incorporated into the model, the results provide a meaningful proof of concept. These simulation findings collectively demonstrate the potential of PCB-based kinetic energy harvesting systems to supplement onboard batteries and reduce reliance on conventional charging methods in future wearable devices.