Powering small electronic gadgets with ambient electromagnetic energy

A research team, led by professor Manos Tentzeris at the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has introduced the concept of harnessing the abundant nonutilized ambient electromagnetic energy. Considering the amount of energy that is transmitted through televisions, hand phones and satellite networks, the potential for making use of this source is very high. Researchers believe that this energy source can easily power small electronic devices, microprocessors and sensors.

Energy-scavenging devices

The financial support for this research came from several sources including the Federal Highway Administration, the National Science Foundation and NEDO Japan. Professor Tentzeris also indicated that the team has built a wide band antenna that is used to capture a range of signals with different frequencies. Tentzeris and his team have employed inkjet printers for combining antennas, sensors and energy capturing on flexi polymers or even paper. This process results in an inexpensive self-powered wireless sensor. The scavenging equipment converts the captured energy from AC to DC and stores the power in either capacitors or batteries.

This device can be put to multiple uses such as for monitoring processes in defense, shipping and other industries. The device can also be used in various applications at airports, hospitals and food storage technology. Successful experiments have been conducted and researchers have used harnessed ambient electromagnetic energy to power a temperature sensor. Tentzeris further explains that the team is working towards powering the device in such a way that if it fails to intercept one particular type of frequency, it can easily switch to a different signal with a different frequency from another source. The team has successfully created paper-based circuits with an ability to function at 15 GHz to 60 GHz. Moreover, researchers feel that this technology can be used as a system backup. For example, if a system operated by solar battery or electronic battery fails, then ambient energy can be utilized to send a SOS signal.

Via: GeorgiaTech