Design and optimization of a frequency up-converted electromagnetic energy harvester for smart urban walkways

Abstract

Harvesting energy from pedestrian traffic provides a sustainable solution for powering smart urban infrastructure. Nevertheless, most existing energy harvesters suffer from limited output and poor robustness, which constrain their real-world applicability. To address these limitations, this study proposes a modular pedal-based electromagnetic harvester that integrates a one-way clutch and a two-stage frequency up-conversion mechanism to efficiently capture low-frequency footstep energy. An experimental prototype was designed, fabricated, and tested. The performance was evaluated in terms of peak voltage and peak power under varying load resistance and external force, simulating diverse smart device connection scenarios and pedestrian conditions. Under an external force of 224.26 N and a load resistance of 20 Ω, the prototype achieved a peak voltage of 19.2 V and a maximum peak power of 12.8 W, exceeding the state-of-art pedestrian energy harvester performance by over 300%. The modular, maintenance-free design enables compatibility with various pavement conditions. In addition, reducing the load resistance enhanced the pedal's overall shock-absorption capability, thereby improving user comfort and system durability.