Wireless autonomous transducer solutions
Micro-power generation and storage
This program investigates technologies for generating and storing power on the micro-scale. It focuses on concepts that can be realized in silicon-based industrial MEMS production processes, allowing for low-cost manufacturing. It targets power densities of the order of 100µW/cm², and will lead to smaller wireless transducer systems that can do more, go anywhere, and need less maintenance.
In power generation, the main focus is on harvesting unused ambient energy such as body heat and stray light. In particular, we are investigating:
- Thermal harvesting
- RF harvesting
- Mechanical / vibrational harvesting
- Small, indoor photovoltaics
The type of harvester we use depends heavily on the application. This ensures the best use of the resonant frequencies (vibrational), frequency spectra (RF and photovoltaic) or temperature gradients (thermal) specific to each application.
The program also analyzes energy storage systems such as micro-sized batteries, super capacitors, and fuel cells. This includes testing and benchmarking systems for partners, and advising commercial battery suppliers.
The ultimate goal are micro-power modules that can be easily integrated into sensor node designs. So we are investigating ways to integrate the energy storage with the energy scavenger and the antenna into micro-power modules. These may even include multiple types of harvesting (e.g. thermal and photovoltaic). For the most promising applications, we build fully integrated demonstrators including power generation, conditioning, storage and management systems.
2009 European Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation for wearable electrocardiograph energy harvesting solution.