EU project develops powerful tiny generator
Scientists have come up with a tiny generator that could power embedded electronic devices such as pacemakers without the need for batteries. Developed as part of the EU-funded VIBES (Vibration Energy Scavenging) project, the kinetic energy generator is smaller than one cubic centimetre, and produces electrical energy from the natural vibrations and movements found in its surrounding environment. The developers say that the generator is also 10 times more efficient than any other similar devices currently available. 'This is the most successful generator of its kind and generates energy much more efficiently than any similar device of its size,' said Dr Beeby, the coordinator of the project from the University of Southampton in the UK. Initially will probably be used to power wireless sensors that monitor conditions within industrial manufacturing plants. However, it could also be used in wireless tyre sensors and even self-powered pace makers. The generator uses environmental vibrations to make magnets on a cantilever at the heart of the device wobble to generate microwatts of power. So in a pacemaker, for example, the beating of the human heart would be strong enough to keep the magnets inside the device wobbling. It could also be used to power sensors attached to road and rail bridges to constantly monitor the structure and soundness of these structures. According to Dr Beeby, 'the big advantage of wireless sensor systems is that by removing wires and batteries, there is the potential for embedding sensors in previously inaccessible locations.' A paper entitled 'A micro electromagnetic generator for vibration energy harvesting' about this research has just been published on the Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering website. The VIBES (Vibration Energy Scavenging) project received a total of €4.13 million under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), from the 'Information Society Technologies' thematic area.
Countries
United Kingdom