Characterization and optimization of piezoelectric sensors as energy harvesters for drones

This thesis examines how piezoelectric sensors can be characterized and refined for use as energy harvesters in drones. The work begins with a combined theoretical and experimental study of piezoelectric devices, looking at their operating principles, resonant behavior, and the practical aspects of handling them in the laboratory. A key part of this analysis focuses on the sensors’ output impedance, its connection to resonance frequency, and the ways it can be measured using both an LCR meter and oscilloscope‑based methods. The experimental phase starts with commercial piezoelectric buttons, whose resonance frequencies and frequency responses are identified through oscilloscope measurements and Bode plot analysis. The same approach is then applied to piezoelectric films of four different lengths to understand how changes in geometry influence resonance frequency, output impedance, and the amount of power that can be harvested. Comparing the results from the buttons and films makes it possible to determine which sensor configurations deliver the most power under vibration conditions typical of drone operation. The findings help clarify which piezoelectric transducer designs are most effective for improving the efficiency and stability of vibration driven energy harvesting in drone systems.