Date: 20/03/2011

Energy harvesting joint solutions for wireless sensors

STMicroelectronics, ARaymond and Micropelt have announced that they are jointly presenting thermal-energy harvesting-based solutions to power 'smart sensors' and 'smart microsystems' at the Hannover Fair under the common theme of 'Green Solutions.' The three companies are partnering to exhibit the entire value chain of self-sustaining wireless systems in a joint booth (Hall 8, D26).

The release states "Wireless sensor networks and actuator systems are strong future contributors to energy and resource efficiency; the improvement of asset health and uptime; and more efficient condition-based maintenance and operating safety of machines and production equipment. Ubiquitous wireless systems are indispensable to achieving a huge green impact; however, they are a viable option only if local battery maintenance can be circumvented."

Micropelt has developed chip-sized thermogenerators (TEGs) which turn local heat fluxes into electrical energy takes a only few square millimeters of footprint. STMicroelectronics and Araymond are presenting solutions they have co-developed with Micropelt.

ST focuses on components supporting energy harvesters in their complementary role of an energy generator with energy storage. Consequently, the development efforts between ST and Micropelt focused on an evaluation system featuring ST's reliable solid-state thin-film rechargeable battery (EnFilm) combined with Micropelt's Thermal Electrical Generator (TEG) chip. The Perpetual Energy Module (PEM-TE01) system demonstrates how these two technologies can provide uninterrupted power and establish a virtual perpetual-energy solution to a long-life and maintenance-free wireless system.