Seminar: Vibration Based Energy Scavenging

Paul WrightCollege of Engineering,
The University of California, BerkeleyABSTRACTThe long term goal of this larger research effort is to develop an ultra-low power, completely self-powered, wireless node for sensor nets. The design of low power wireless transceivers and digital protocol processors is a key component of this effort, carried out with colleagues who specialize in low power radios. This presentation focuses on the modeling, design and new materials for an autonomous energy-delivery network. As the energy consumption of the node is limited by its size and efficiency, optimization of the complete power train is essential. This includes energy generation, storage and conversion. These future, self-powered nodes must have ultra-long life. (E.g. our research with the building industry indicates a need for >10 year life). Photovoltaics are a mature technology, and a solar cell based power source can be implemented using commercial off-the-shelf technology. However, less work has been done on exploiting low-level vibrations as a power source for low power electronics. The vibration-to-electricity converter – using piezoelectric "benders" in this presentation -- represents a significant research opportunity in itself. Devices at the "meso" and "micro" scale are being modeled, designed and fabricated . Application areas include: smart buildings, fire-rescue, industrial monitoring, and manufacturing in general.

Location: Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center (GER) - 309

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Shah Nirav