Magnetic levitation and its application for low frequency vibration energy harvesting

There are multiple magnetic levitation mechanisms that have garnered a lot of attention from researchers and the general public over the last few decades due to their potential applications for high-speed public transport and high-speed bearings. The two well-studied forms of magnetic levitation are electromagnetic levitation and superconductor-based levitation. One form of levitation needs an active energy input to sustain levitation and the other needs cryogenic temperatures to achieve levitation. A little known form of magnetic levitation called diamagnetic levitation is the only form of passive levitation that is possible at room temperature. Diamagnetic levitation is possible due to the weak repulsive nature of diamagnetic materials; these materials are found abundantly in nature. An even lesser known alternate form of diamagnetic levitation called diamagnetically stabilized magnet levitation is highlighted here for its use in low-frequency vibration-based energy harvesting to potentially power wireless sensors for structural health-monitoring purposes.