We report in this paper the design, the optimization and the fabrication of an electret-based cantilever energy harvester. We develop the mechanical and the electrostatic equations of such a device and its implementation using Finite Elements (FEM) and Matlab in order to get an accurate model. This model is then used in an optimization process. A macroscopic prototype (3.2cm^{2}) was built with a silicon cantilever and a Teflon\textregistered electret. Thanks to this prototype, we manage to harvest 17\muW with ambient-type vibrations of 0.2g on a load of 210M{\Omega}. The experimental results are consistent with simulation results.
@article{arxiv.1111.2458,
title = {Electret-based cantilever energy harvester: design and optimization},
author = {S. Boisseau and G. Despesse and A. Sylvestre},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1111.2458},
year = {2011}
}