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Thermal Energy Harvesting from Slow Variations in Environmental Temperatures.
Joshua Curry1, Nick Harris1, Neil White1
1School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
Micromachines
|June 28, 2023
Summary
Novel energy harvesting powers remote devices using gas actuators and temperature changes. This system generates 150mJ per cycle, enabling multiple LoRaWAN transmissions daily for the Internet of Things.
Area of Science:
- Energy Harvesting
- Materials Science
- Internet of Things (IoT)
Background:
- Device longevity in the expanding Internet of Things is limited by power availability.
- Novel energy harvesting systems are crucial for powering remote, long-lasting devices.
- Current solutions often struggle with sustained power generation for off-grid applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel energy harvesting device for remote IoT applications.
- To demonstrate a system utilizing a unique actuator for power generation.
- To assess the energy output and transmission capabilities of the developed device.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel actuator using off-the-shelf gas mixtures.
- Harnessing variable force generated from diurnal temperature fluctuations.
- Measurement of energy output per temperature cycle.
- Evaluation of the device's capacity for data transmission (e.g., LoRaWAN).
Main Results:
- The developed device generates up to 150mJ per diurnal temperature cycle.
- This energy output is sufficient for multiple LoRaWAN transmissions daily.
- The system effectively utilizes slow environmental temperature changes for power generation.
Conclusions:
- The presented energy harvesting device offers a viable solution for powering remote IoT sensors.
- The novel actuator design enables efficient energy generation from ambient temperature variations.
- This technology can significantly enhance the longevity and operational range of IoT devices.
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