Proof of concept of energy harvesting from aeroacoustic noise

Abstract

This paper reports the testing of a new mechanism converting energy radiated from an acoustic source, i.e. a small cavity created on an aircraft outside skin and inducing high frequency oscillations of airflow passing over it. This acoustic noise is then converted into electrical energy. We have submitted in a wind tunnel a set of cavities to an airflow varying the Mach number, creating high sound levels. In a second set of experiments, we have submitted passive microphones to high acoustic levels and stored in capacitors the electrical energy collected at the microphone output. Finally, directions for future work are identified.