Nonlocal strain gradient-based meshless collocation model for nonlinear dynamics of time-dependent actuated beam-type energy harvesters at nanoscale.

There is a diverse and well-constructed application of energy harvesting systems due to their innovate technology to provide the necessary power for low-energy electronics. In this regard, the prime objective of the current study is to analyze the size-dependent nonlinear dynamic performance of piezoelectric beam-type energy harvesters at nanoscale subjected to a time-dependent mechanical uniform load. A laminated structure containing an agglomerated nanocomposite core integrated with top and bottom piezoelectric surface layers is considered for the nanoscale bridge-type energy harvesters. To take the size dependency into account, the nonlocal strain gradient continuum elasticity is formulated based upon a quasi-3D beam theory incorporating the both features of size effects. Thereafter, the size-dependent nonlinear problem is then solved numerically relevant to simply supported and clamped end conditions via employing the meshless collocation technique. Accordingly, the numerical solving procedure is established without any background meshes as well as eliminating the integration and singularity by using proper multiquadric radial basis functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]