Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19

What is the current status of energy harvesting for wireless sensing systems?

By Randy Frank | April 26, 2018

Share

Energy harvesting (EH) has been an exciting potential source to power wireless sensing nodes for well over a decade. As in many new technology areas, the hype frequently exceeds the capability of the technology, especially within the short term. While some projections have changed within the last few years, EH still has great potential for applications that can use today’s capabilities to avoid frequent battery changes and its potential will certainly increase as research and development efforts continue.

On the downside, a recent report from IDTechEx concludes that thermoelectric EH applications in automotive and wearables have been “more difficult to commercialize than initially hoped.”  For automobiles, thermoelectric generators that converted waste heat into power needed more development to fully commercialize and current capabilities suffered from lack of robustness. For wearables, the reality of the amount of electricity generated by the small difference between the wearer’s body temperature and the ambient results in the need for cumbersome and heavy heats sinks that make them far more limited than expected.

However, these are just two of the potential uses for thermoelectric EH. While these applications face harsh realty, others, especially industrial applications, remain quite viable.  Also, other popular EH techniques for sensing applications include photovoltaic, piezoelectric, electrodynamic and even wind.

In addition, new techniques are being investigated with encouraging results. For example Twistron (coiled carbon nanotube) yarns that generate electricity when they are stretched or twisted have been reported by an international research team led by scientists at The University of Texas at Dallas and Hanyang University in South Korea. While still in the research area, these results show that EH still has some exciting surprises to reveal.

Source: University of Texas at Dallas

Those interested in getting a more complete update directly from experts who deal with energy harvesting and the low power requirements of wireless sensing systems on a daily basis should plan on attending the Energy Harvesting and Energy-Efficient Power Solutions for Sensors Applications – Tutorials on Tuesday, June 26 and EH Sessions on Tuesday, June 27 at Sensors Expo 2018 in San Jose, CA.

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

MOTION DESIGN GUIDES

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • With virtual commissioning, commissioning time and prototype waste is reduced
  • Master Bond Supreme 10HT High Strength, NASA Low Outgassing Approved Epoxy
  • Optimize, streamline and increase production capacity with pallet-handling conveyor systems
  • Drilling Rig OEM Benefits from a PLC with Edge Computing Technology: IIoT Case Study
  • #1 Reason for Retaining Ring Failure & How to Overcome It
  • Motion controllers: design from scratch or buy ready-made?
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Tweets by @DesignWorld
Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP Awards

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Articles
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
  • 3D CAD Models
    • PARTsolutions
    • TraceParts
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
  • Resources
    • DIGITAL ISSUES
      • EE World Digital Issues
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • 2020 LEAP Awards
    • MC² Motion Control Classroom
    • Motion Design Guide Library
    • Podcasts
    • Suppliers
    • Webinars
  • Women in Engineering
  • Ebooks / Tech Tips
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • COVID-19