Energy harvesting for low power autonomous devices and systems Preface 1. Energy harvesting: 1.1. Introduction; 1.2. Thermal to electrical based energy harvesting; 1.3. Solar to electrical based energy harvesting; 1.4. Radio frequency to electrical based energy harvesting; 1.5. Sources of energy from human activity; 1.6. Mechanical to electrical based energy harvesting; References 2. Mechanical to electrical energy conversion transducers: 2.1. Introduction; 2.2. Piezoelectric transducers; 2.3. Electromagnetic induction transducers; 2.4. Electrostatic transducers; 2.5. Magnetostrictive material based transducers; 2.6. General comparison of different transducers; 2.7. Transducer shelf life and operational life; References 3. Mechanical to electrical energy transducer interfacing mechanisms: 3.1. Introduction; 3.2. Interfacing mechanisms for piezoelectric based transducers; 3.3. Interfacing mechanisms for electromagnetic based transducers; 3.4. Interfacing mechanisms for electrostatic and magnetostrictive based transducers; References 4. Collection and conditioning circuits: 4.1. Introduction; 4.2. Collection and conditioning circuits for piezoelectric transducers; 4.3. Collection and conditioning circuits for electromagnetic energy harvesters; 4.4. Collection and conditioning circuits for electrostatic energy harvesters; 4.5. Conditioning circuits for vibration based magnetostrictive energy harvesters; References 5. Case studies: 5.1. Introduction; 5.2. Commercial vibration energy harvesters; 5.3. Tire pressure monitoring system; 5.4. Self powered wireless sensors; 5.5. Piezoelectric energy harvesting power sources for gun fired munitions and similar applications; 5.6. Self powered shock loading event detection with safety logic circuit and applications; References Index This book is an introductory text describing methods of harvesting electrical energy from mechanical potential and kinetic energy. The book focuses on the methods of transferring mechanical energy to energy conversion transducers of various types including piezoelectric electromagnetic electrostatic and magnetostrictive transducers. Methods that have been developed for collecting conditioning and delivering the generated electrical energy to a load as well as their potential use as self powered sensors are described. The book should be of interest to those who want to know the potentials as well as shortcomings of energy harvesting technology. The book is particularly useful for energy harvesting system designers as it provides a systematic approach to the selection of the proper transduction mechanisms and methods of interfacing with a host system and electrical energy collection and conditioning options. An extensive bibliography is provided to direct the reader to appropriate references for detailed material not included in the book