Smart wheel energy harvester

An energy harvester system comprising a wheel 308 and an energy harvester 306, the energy harvester comprises: a substrate 402 having a curved staging surface 412; and a piezoelectric component 404, where the piezoelectric component 404 is attached to the substrate 402 and contacts a first portion of the staging surface 412, where the piezoelectric component 404 also contacts a second portion of the staging surface 412 but only when under mechanical strain. The system may also comprise an interconnect which is conductively coupled to the piezoelectric component 404 and configured to conduct electrical energy to a device (e.g. a sensor) coupled to the wheel. The substrate 402 may be integrally formed with the wheel [608, figure 6]. The wheel 308 may be circular or spherical. Also disclosed is a method where said wheel is rotated to deform said piezoelectric component to power said device.