As the price of electricity is ever increasing, a device which can convert the energy already present in the surroundings to electricity can be really helpful. Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new energy harvester, which can convert energy from vibrations to electricity.
This new energy harvester is much more efficient than other energy harvesters. These harvesters convert the vibrations produced by factory machines to electricity. This electricity is in turn used to power-drive wireless sensor networks.
Sensor networks are used to give information to operators about any malfunctions. Presently, these sensor networks are powered by plugs or battery. But, maintenance and installation of sensor networks in large-scale industry is too costly, using up to 80 percent of the total expenses. Using an energy harvester will drastically bring down the cost.
Although the new harvester is just 27 cubic millimeters, it is very efficient in conserving energy from a machine’s vibrations. The whole system consists of a piezoelectric material for energy harvesting and a circuitry to access the electricity. There is an ultracapacitor present to store the energy. The bandwidth of the system is 14 hertz and works at a vibration frequency of 155 hertz. It can produce more than 200 microwatts of power from 1.5 g vibration amplitude.
The good thing is that this new energy harvester is a very low-maintenance product. It can go without regular maintenance for a period as long as 10 to 20 years.
Apart from being useful in the factories, these can also be used in medicine and auto industry to power medical implants and heat sensors on vehicles, respectively.
Via: Physorg
