Relevant White Papers, Reports, Case Studies and Data
This page identifies white papers, reports, case studies relevant to the field of energy harvesting. We also aim to make available a resource of energy harvesting data for use by researchers.The EH Network resources have been contributed by members. If you are a member, please contribute.
Reports
Alex Efimov, (2013) Energy Harvesting Mission to Japan. In: Energy Harvesting Special Interest Group, August 2013.Abstract: The mission was organised by the Energy Harvesting SIG with support from the Technology Strategy Board to investigate the status of energy harvesting technologies adoption and to establish links with companies and academics in Japan.
Energy Harvesting Network, (2012) Scaling Effects for Micro and Nano Scale Energy Harvesters - A Roadmap to New Research Challenges. In: EH Network Workshop Report, November 2012.
Abstract: This report and accompanying roadmap have been developed by the Energy Harvesting Network to identify a new generation of research challenges in the field of energy harvesting. The purpose of this is to inform funding agencies of emerging areas of science and engineering that will require support and to act as a catalyst for bringing together multidisciplinary teams to develop proposals to tackle these research challenges. As the third in the series of such exercises this study focuses specifically on scaling effects for micro- and nano scale energy harvesters. In contrast to the previous two, which addressed the well-defined applications of 'Human Power' and 'Structural Monitoring', this workshop primarily concerns science and technology advances.
The scope of this workshop covers the application of micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) / nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) to energy harvesting and in particular explores the scaling effects when reducing these devices in size. MEMS/NEMS are having a great impact on performing measurements, signal conditioning and actuation. At the same time they are an attractive approach for the mass production of both kinetic and thermal energy harvesters, which could be used to power external systems or potentially realise self-powered microelectronics. Manufacturing can reach the micro/nano scale either from the top down, by 'machining' to ever smaller dimensions, or from the bottom up, by exploiting the ability of molecules and biological systems to 'self-assemble' tiny structures. Importantly, scaling effects will influence the fundamental energy available from such devices, the efficiency with which it can be harvested and the practical constraints of the micro/nano fabrication processes must also be considered.
In an effort to define the new research challenges required to deliver on the potential of energy harvesting, the workshop aimed at establishing what is reasonable to expect in terms of fundamental physics, fabrication processes, electronics, ambient sources etc. and which MEMS/NEMS technologies have the most promise to practically address the energy needs.
The roadmap was developed primarily through a workshop that brought together expert opinion from both academia and industry. Expertise included various energy harvesting technologies and approaches as well as materials, electronics, wireless sensor networks, standards and energy storage. In addition, some participants had specific MEMS design and fabrication expertise. The roadmapping process mapped out over the next 10 years the technology developments and underpinning science required to enable the realisation of a vision for dependable scaled-down energy harvesting devices that take advantage of advances in MEMS/NEMS technologies and can draw upon a range of ambient energy sources to aid the powering of embedded or retrofitted sensor and actuator systems.
In order realise the potential of energy harvesting at small scale, the fundamental approaches involve investigations in engineering nanocomposite materials with new functionality or improved performance over traditional materials and using new materials as coatings on existing devices which may lead to improved performance.
Integrating the sensing material with the generating material could also be a way to make a better system i.e. using a multifunctional material. Other possibilities are to develop intelligent systems that modify their harvesting based on the environment that it is harvesting in.
For thermoelectric harvesting microfluidic cooling systems could improve the applicability of the technology in a 10 year horizon. Vibration energy harvesting would benefit from inertial energy harvesters that have variable resonant frequencies and that can adjust damping to accommodate variations in drive amplitude (non-linear or adaptive devices) in a 7 year horizon. Lower stiffness materials with high fatigue strength and higher density materials for inertial masses would both reduce resonant frequencies to those more commonly found in application environments (within 5 years). The applications that would benefit from these developments would be machine or transport based initially and then human application at a later date (beyond the next 10 years).
Technology development is needed in a range of areas to realise the potential of energy harvesting at small scale. Some highlights include improved shape and complexity during 3D micro fabrication by using novel lithography or flexible substrates; tools for handling and assembly at small scales; low power fast analogue circuits (<10ns delay); improved transducer materials (e.g. Ferroelectrets); increased coupling using active power conditioning circuits; small signal measurement to ssupport metrology standards for energy measurement at small scales; and iidentification of critical commercial pull applications and production of applications matrix for energy harvesting sensing systems and design tools.
Major areas of underpinning science that will need to be addressed include investigation of potential benefits of nanowires, 1D electronics and graphene and carbon nanotubes to energy harvesting; non-linear effects for chaotic / wideband sources; miniaturisation using monolithic silicon structures; high quality spinning bearings to support gyroscopic power generation with MEMS; energy storage components suitable for small scales; circuits with minimal start-up leakage; modelling tools for designing micro harvesters; and environmentally friendly and safe materials as well as materials characterised by low stiffness; high reliability and density.
The scope of this workshop covers the application of micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) / nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) to energy harvesting and in particular explores the scaling effects when reducing these devices in size. MEMS/NEMS are having a great impact on performing measurements, signal conditioning and actuation. At the same time they are an attractive approach for the mass production of both kinetic and thermal energy harvesters, which could be used to power external systems or potentially realise self-powered microelectronics. Manufacturing can reach the micro/nano scale either from the top down, by 'machining' to ever smaller dimensions, or from the bottom up, by exploiting the ability of molecules and biological systems to 'self-assemble' tiny structures. Importantly, scaling effects will influence the fundamental energy available from such devices, the efficiency with which it can be harvested and the practical constraints of the micro/nano fabrication processes must also be considered.
In an effort to define the new research challenges required to deliver on the potential of energy harvesting, the workshop aimed at establishing what is reasonable to expect in terms of fundamental physics, fabrication processes, electronics, ambient sources etc. and which MEMS/NEMS technologies have the most promise to practically address the energy needs.
The roadmap was developed primarily through a workshop that brought together expert opinion from both academia and industry. Expertise included various energy harvesting technologies and approaches as well as materials, electronics, wireless sensor networks, standards and energy storage. In addition, some participants had specific MEMS design and fabrication expertise. The roadmapping process mapped out over the next 10 years the technology developments and underpinning science required to enable the realisation of a vision for dependable scaled-down energy harvesting devices that take advantage of advances in MEMS/NEMS technologies and can draw upon a range of ambient energy sources to aid the powering of embedded or retrofitted sensor and actuator systems.
In order realise the potential of energy harvesting at small scale, the fundamental approaches involve investigations in engineering nanocomposite materials with new functionality or improved performance over traditional materials and using new materials as coatings on existing devices which may lead to improved performance.
Integrating the sensing material with the generating material could also be a way to make a better system i.e. using a multifunctional material. Other possibilities are to develop intelligent systems that modify their harvesting based on the environment that it is harvesting in.
For thermoelectric harvesting microfluidic cooling systems could improve the applicability of the technology in a 10 year horizon. Vibration energy harvesting would benefit from inertial energy harvesters that have variable resonant frequencies and that can adjust damping to accommodate variations in drive amplitude (non-linear or adaptive devices) in a 7 year horizon. Lower stiffness materials with high fatigue strength and higher density materials for inertial masses would both reduce resonant frequencies to those more commonly found in application environments (within 5 years). The applications that would benefit from these developments would be machine or transport based initially and then human application at a later date (beyond the next 10 years).
Technology development is needed in a range of areas to realise the potential of energy harvesting at small scale. Some highlights include improved shape and complexity during 3D micro fabrication by using novel lithography or flexible substrates; tools for handling and assembly at small scales; low power fast analogue circuits (<10ns delay); improved transducer materials (e.g. Ferroelectrets); increased coupling using active power conditioning circuits; small signal measurement to ssupport metrology standards for energy measurement at small scales; and iidentification of critical commercial pull applications and production of applications matrix for energy harvesting sensing systems and design tools.
Major areas of underpinning science that will need to be addressed include investigation of potential benefits of nanowires, 1D electronics and graphene and carbon nanotubes to energy harvesting; non-linear effects for chaotic / wideband sources; miniaturisation using monolithic silicon structures; high quality spinning bearings to support gyroscopic power generation with MEMS; energy storage components suitable for small scales; circuits with minimal start-up leakage; modelling tools for designing micro harvesters; and environmentally friendly and safe materials as well as materials characterised by low stiffness; high reliability and density.
Technology Strategy Board, (2011) Energy Harvesting: Watts Needed?. In: TSB Workshop Report, 13 September 2011, London.
Abstract: These slides are from the TSB workshop held in September 2011 (http://eh-network.org/news_event.php?id=116).
Energy Harvesting Network, (2011) Energy Harvesting for Structural Monitoring - A Roadmap to New Research Challenges. In: EH Network Workshop Report, May 2011.
Abstract: This report and accompanying roadmap have been developed by the Energy Harvesting Network to identify a new generation of research challenges in the field of energy harvesting. The purpose of this is to inform funding agencies of emerging areas of science and engineering that will require support and to act as a catalyst for bringing together multidisciplinary teams to develop proposals to tackle these research challenges. As the second in the series of such exercises this study focuses specifically on energy harvesting for the powering of sensors for structural monitoring of fixed civil infrastructure. Examples of applications areas include buildings, bridges, tunnels, dams, offshore platforms, pipelines, mines, embankments etc.
The roadmap was developed primarily through a workshop that brought together expert opinion from both academia and industry. Expertise included energy harvesting technologies and approaches, construction sector knowledge, materials, electronics, wireless sensor networks, standards and energy storage. The roadmapping process mapped out over the next 10 years the technology developments and underpinning science required to enable the realisation of a vision for robust and easy to install energy harvesting devices that can draw upon a range of ambient energy sources to aid the powering of embedded or retrofitted structural monitoring sensor systems for the appropriate lifetime of fixed civil infrastructure.
The roadmap was developed primarily through a workshop that brought together expert opinion from both academia and industry. Expertise included energy harvesting technologies and approaches, construction sector knowledge, materials, electronics, wireless sensor networks, standards and energy storage. The roadmapping process mapped out over the next 10 years the technology developments and underpinning science required to enable the realisation of a vision for robust and easy to install energy harvesting devices that can draw upon a range of ambient energy sources to aid the powering of embedded or retrofitted structural monitoring sensor systems for the appropriate lifetime of fixed civil infrastructure.
Energy Harvesting Network, (2011) Energy Harvesting from Human Power - A Roadmap to New Research Challenges. In: EH Network Workshop Report, March 2011.
Abstract: This report and accompanying roadmap have been developed by the Energy Harvesting Network to identify a new generation of research challenges in the field of energy harvesting. The purpose of this is to inform funding agencies of emerging areas of science and engineering that will require support and to act as a catalyst for bringing together multidisciplinary teams to develop proposals to tackle these research challenges. As the first in a series of such exercises this study focuses specifically on energy harvesting from human sources for the purpose of enabling low power wireless sensing on, around and in the human body, while eliminating battery materials and waste.
The roadmap was developed primarily through a workshop that brought together expert opinion from both academia and industry. Expertise included energy harvesting technologies and approaches, materials, electronics, medical devices including implantables, wireless and body sensor networks, standards and energy storage. The roadmapping process mapped out over the next 10 years the technology developments and underpinning science required to enable the realisation of a vision for battery-free human powered wireless sensing / monitoring devices.
The roadmap was developed primarily through a workshop that brought together expert opinion from both academia and industry. Expertise included energy harvesting technologies and approaches, materials, electronics, medical devices including implantables, wireless and body sensor networks, standards and energy storage. The roadmapping process mapped out over the next 10 years the technology developments and underpinning science required to enable the realisation of a vision for battery-free human powered wireless sensing / monitoring devices.
Costis Kompis, Prateek Sureka (Editors), (2010) Power Management Technologies to Enable Remote and Wireless Sensing. In: ESP KTN Report, May 2010, Teddington, UK.
Abstract: The main focus of the study is on establishing best practices and identifying remaining performance barriers and therefore on a set of key questions or issues that the potential user community have posed. These questions were arrived at by consultation with members of the Sensors & Instrumentation KTN and others expressing an interest in implementing self-powered wireless sensor networks. They have been grouped in 3 sets depending on the level the optimization focuses on. Issues explored related to the themes of:
Microprocessor level Power Management
Issue 1 Causes and metrics of power dissipation in microprocessors
Issue 2 Dynamic voltage scaling (DVS)
Issue 3 Selection of a Microprocessor
Node level Power Management
Issue 4 Power analysis of sensor nodes
Issue 5 Optimization of radio Components
Issue 6 Energy Harvesting Aware Power Management
Network-level Power Management
Issue 7 Measuring energy/performance trade-offs
Issue 8 Power consumption and node density
Issue 9 Condition of a battery system
For each level the technical context for power management is reviewed. The power requirements of wireless sensor nodes are discussed.
The study identifies some commercial and academic centres of expertise advancing power management technologies. The emphasis here is on UK and Europe although others are identified. An intellectual property landscape analysis is also performed to show which organisations and countries are claiming the bulk intellectual property in the field.
Finally, the study makes recommendations aimed at improving or achieving the goal of practical implementation of power management to enable remote and wireless sensing in applications of interest to industry.
Microprocessor level Power Management
Issue 1 Causes and metrics of power dissipation in microprocessors
Issue 2 Dynamic voltage scaling (DVS)
Issue 3 Selection of a Microprocessor
Node level Power Management
Issue 4 Power analysis of sensor nodes
Issue 5 Optimization of radio Components
Issue 6 Energy Harvesting Aware Power Management
Network-level Power Management
Issue 7 Measuring energy/performance trade-offs
Issue 8 Power consumption and node density
Issue 9 Condition of a battery system
For each level the technical context for power management is reviewed. The power requirements of wireless sensor nodes are discussed.
The study identifies some commercial and academic centres of expertise advancing power management technologies. The emphasis here is on UK and Europe although others are identified. An intellectual property landscape analysis is also performed to show which organisations and countries are claiming the bulk intellectual property in the field.
Finally, the study makes recommendations aimed at improving or achieving the goal of practical implementation of power management to enable remote and wireless sensing in applications of interest to industry.
Alex Weddell, (2010) Notes from Hanson Wade EH Conference. In: Informal Notes, April 2010, Munich, Germany.
Abstract: Informal notes from the Hanson Wade "Energy Harvesting for Wireless Automation" conference, 24-25 May 2010, Munich, Germany.
Costis Kompis, Simon Aliwell, (2008) Energy Harvesting Technologies to Enable Wireless and Remote Sensing . In: Sensors & Instrumentation KTN Report, June 2008, London, UK.
Abstract: This study discusses the state of the art in energy harvesting technologies and also critically questions its applicability in real situations of interest to industry. Significant focus has therefore been given to examining the barriers to application through consultation with both developers and potential users of the technology.
The main focus of the study is on examining barriers to practical adoption and therefore on a set of key questions or issues that the potential user community have posed.
The main focus of the study is on examining barriers to practical adoption and therefore on a set of key questions or issues that the potential user community have posed.
Data
Maria Gorlatova, Michael Zapas, Enlin Xu, Matthias Bahlke, John Kymissis, (2011) Dataset of indoor light energy measurement traces. In: Public dataset, Columbia University, New York City, 2011.Abstract: This study is focused on characterizing light energy availability and properties for indoor-located light energy harvesting devices. In this work we present irradiance measurement traces collected by a set of TAOS TSL230rd photometric sensors (measuring irradiance, in W/cm^2) in several indoor locations, and also study a set of shorter-term indoor/outdoor mobile device measurements. These traces can be used for energy harvesting system design, energy characterization, and as feeds to system simulators and emulators. The traces are also available via CRAWDAD at http://www.crawdad.org/meta.php?name=columbia/enhants.
