DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjet.2025.v13i08.005

Pages: 657-663

Background: In rural and semi-urban areas, such as in Dharashiv, Maharashtra, the power infrastructure is very poor, and it is very difficult to have a consistent power source for low-power devices. Piezoelectric energy harvesting is a green solution to convert ambient mechanical vibrations to electrical energy. Materials such as Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) and Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF have been proposed) have attracted a great deal of attention recently because of their high electromechanical coupling and their versatility to a huge array of operation conditions. Objectives: The objective of this work is to assess the performance characteristics of PZT and PVDF-based piezoelectric harvesters with real-world vibration excitation. It aims to establish ways in which the rural deployment can be optimally configured, user acceptance can be evaluated through participatory trials, and scalable design strategies for self-powered sensing systems can be devised. Methods: A mixed-method approach was employed, including experimental laboratory studies, computational modelling, and field validation. PZT and PVDF-based harvesters were developed and tested at a fixed vibration frequency. Resonance behavior was simulated based on CFD computations and FEA. Dharashiv field trials included co-developed wearable and machinery-mounted prototypes, along with feedback from local users. Results: PZT-based harvesters demonstrated a high-voltage output (up to 18 V peak) in a strong machinery vibration at high frequency, while PVDF-based devices were most effective in a low-frequency wearable environment. User comfort scores of PVDF wearables averaged 4.6/5, suggesting good acceptability by the community. The incorporation of magnet mounts and adhesive interfaces increased deployment ability in agro-machinery and health monitoring installations. Conclusion: Piezoelectric energy harvesting is an acceptable and ethically deployable option for powering low-energy devices in resource-poor