New compact device converts vibration into electricity with high efficiency

OMRON and Holst Centre/IMEC recently unveiled a new prototype of a compact device that captures vibration energy and converts it into direct current with high efficiency. The new device, which combines an electret power source previously developed by OMRON and an integrated power management circuit from Holst Centre/IMEC, captures vibrations in the range of several microwatts.

The prototype measures only 5 cm x 6 cm (with a potential reduction to a size of 2 cm x 2 cm) and has a small weight of 15.4 grams. At the same time, it produces a sufficiently large output voltage, in the range of 1.5 to 5 volts, which is ideal for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications, in particular for use in hard-to-reach places and power autonomous wireless sensor nodes.

Small wireless sensors that could be installed and left to collect and exchange data offline are of great interest today. They are the backbone of the emerging computing network of physical objects (Internet of Things), and they will provide access to new levels of automation and monitoring of equipment in industrial environments. Continued miniaturization and reduced power consumption of sensors and microelectronics make these devices possible. However, the key issue in the development of sensors remains the organization of power supply.

Using energy harvested from the environment is an ideal solution to power autonomous sensor nodes. This eliminates the need to use cables and replace batteries in devices – only in this case, the “set and forget” principle applies.

OMRON is currently conducting operational testing of the vibration power module prototype with customers, gathering additional information before mass production.

Source: www.cheburek.net