MicroGen Systems - BOLT060™ MicroPower Generator

MicroGen Systems, Inc. This is a MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) based Piezoelectric Vibrational Energy Harvester (PZEH; prototype "quad-chip" consisting of four (4) 1.0 cm^2 single-chips) called the BOLT060™. In other words, it is a micro-power generator. ...As shown using a strobe light, the device's resonant frequency is 60 Hz, and the significant cantilever deflection (greater than +/- 2mm) is being created by a G-acceleration of only 0.4 g. The vibration is being created by a electronic shaker that the device is resting on - the shaker is like an electronic drum head moving up and down 60 times per second. Other frequencies can be designed, where the BOLT050, BOLT060, BOLT100 and BOLT120 will be the first released to the industrial and building markets in 2011. These products will be efficiently packaged 1.0 cm^2 single-chips.

The shaker simulates something that one wants to monitor, such as a industrial piece of equipment for preventive maintenance. The only input energy is the shaker itself. The four (4) 13.9 um thick (human hair is approximately100 um thick) cantilevers vibrate up and down in unison with the external shaker force. When the cantilever bends up and down it strains its internal piezoelectric crystal and generates an alternating charge Q and drives an AC current I. Hence, power (P = R*I^2) is generated, where R is the internal resistance of the device. This P will be able to enable low power wireless sensors to monitor industrial equipment, lighting control, civil infrastructure structural integrity, automobile sensors, and multitudes of other market applications, including defense.

The intent is to replace or extend the lifetime of short lifetime batteries that impact industry and consumers, and our environment. Ultimately, MicroGen is attempting to Power The Smarter Planet™

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• energy harvesting
• power scavenging
• MEMS

[noprimenumbers]

If you put say 5 lbs of weight per wheel on a vehicle to collect and store energy using these type of devices and capacitors how much energy could be harvested in a 1 hour drive? And if these devices are used to harvest energy from vibration would or could it be used as a dampening device? Such as a wall next to a busy street.