Energy Harvesting is not Fiction Anymore

Abstract:

Our environment is changing and everything is becoming “electronified”. Our glasses, our hand gloves, shirts, shoes etc., can be connected already today with our smartphones and can send commands to the machinery surrounding us. We want this comfort, and we are all looking forward to having Smart Homes.

Chip manufacturers have introduced a new generation of processors to the market, which already have the built-in RF module in the chip itself. This solution is amazing, has low current requirement, and can operate with just 40 nA@3V in Sleep Mode. In case of transmission, the current is 18 mA @ +10 dBm. At this point, we can start to harvest the energy from the ambient environment for the application, and power our device. For such a solution, a power converter manufacturer developed a new chip, which is able to harvest from multiple sources. It can use a piezo or inductive harvester if we have movements/vibration; in case of temperature differences, we can harvest from a TEG (Thermo Electric Generator); or we can use the indoor solar input, and harvest the light from the ambient.