Communications of the ACM
Wireless Device Converts 'lost' Energy Into Electric Power
Duke engineering student Allen Hawkes show a waveguide containing a single power-harvesting metamaterial cell, which provides enough energy to power the attached green LED.
Credit: Duke University
Duke University researchers have developed a power-harvesting device that wirelessly converts a microwave signal to direct current voltage capable of recharging a cellphone battery or other small electronic device. In addition to light energy, the new device can be tuned to harvest the signal from other energy sources, including satellite signals, sound signals, or Wi-Fi signals, according to the researchers.
The device relies on its application of metamaterials, which are engineered structures that can capture various forms of wave energy and tune them for useful applications. "We had been getting energy efficiency around six to 10 percent, but with this design we were able to dramatically improve energy conversion to 37 percent, which is comparable to what is achieved in solar cells," says Duke's Allen Hawkes.
The researchers say that with additional modifications, the power-harvesting metamaterial could potentially be built into cellphones, enabling them to recharge wirelessly while not in use. "The beauty of the design is that the basic building blocks are self-contained and additive," says Duke professor Steven Cummer. "One can simply assemble more blocks to increase the scavenged power."
From Duke University
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