Energy harvesting based on smart materials.

In order to supply wireless sensors, energy harvesters are an attractive alternative to batteries. Smart materials constitute a promising solution for harvesting energy (vibrational and thermal energies, among others). In this context, this session focuses on exploration, understanding, and design of energy harvesters based on analytical, numerical, and/or experimental approaches. This special session provides opportunity to discuss material, mechanical, electrical, and system aspects of energy harvesters based on smart materials. Specifically, submitted papers should cover areas including, but not limited to, smart materials (piezoelectric, electrets, magnetostrictive, thermoelectric, etc.) for energy harvesting, vibration and thermal energy harvesters (broadband solutions, power management, innovative material and structural design), and applications of energy harvesting solutions in real-world environments.