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Energy from Thin Air? New Scavenging Technologies

Posted February 18, 2008 8:18 AM

It's almost like culling energy from thin air — researchers are harnessing ambient energy from normally bypassed sources. These energy sources, such as mechanical vibrations and body heat, can be exploited in many battery-powered applications. High-performance microgenerators, for example, scavenge vibrations from the environment to power wireless sensors and radio frequency systems. Battery-less devices, operating on 200 mV of body heat, are being devised for medical use. These and other approaches outlined in Engineer Live herald a novel form of renewable energy harvesting. What are the prospects for tapping these technologies?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Alternative Power, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Alternative Power today.

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Taganan
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Re: Energy from Thin Air? New Scavenging Technologies

02/19/2008 9:10 PM

Nanobot "bugs" for espionage could be powered by the body heat of the person being observed. Others could be powered by the environment. Lots of medical uses. Could make space probes much lighter.

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EnviroMan
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Re: Energy from Thin Air? New Scavenging Technologies

02/26/2008 12:23 PM

Sensors for monitoring systems on automobiles or other mobile equipment (yes, including military) powered by the vibrations of the vehicle in operation. Neat solution. While I read the article, I kept thinking of more and more potential uses. I hope the designers are thinking too...

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tomkaighin
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Re: Energy from Thin Air? New Scavenging Technologies

04/01/2008 5:42 PM

A lot of variables to consider, but an extremely interesting technology. Me being a fat man and producing more than my fair share of body heat, I wonder if a vest of these devices could be worn under my clothing to both cool me by removing radiant heat, and power portable devices such as cell phones, laptops, gps units and even military grade communications gear.

And as for the vibrational units...heck, a Chili Cookoff could power a small city!

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dadw5boys
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Re: Energy from Thin Air? New Scavenging Technologies

04/08/2008 10:14 AM

So Gerbils can power plants with their little wheels?

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dadw5boys
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Re: Energy from Thin Air? New Scavenging Technologies

05/03/2008 5:47 PM

How about standing an armuature verticle and then suspend it in the air with strong magnetics. then place the winding around it and top off the armuature with a windmill type of blades that are also magnetized so that when they are turned they keep spinning. And create a perprturual engery machine.

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Re: Energy from Thin Air? New Scavenging Technologies

05/05/2008 11:23 AM

"And create a perprturual engery machine."

Interesting terminology - maybe this is something new under the sun, and maybe it could actually work. Although I have no idea how we'd ever know for sure that it did... Guess we'd best stick with the gerbils for now.

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