Formatting code for Energy
@@======ENERGY======@@
----
===={{color text="CONTENT" c="#000000"}}====
**[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#News News]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/SolarCell Solar Cells]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Harvesting Energy Harvesting]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Storage Energy Storage/Battery]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Wind Wind Energy]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Wireless Wireless Energy transfer]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Ref References]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#See See Also]]
**
----
===={{color text="NEWS" c="#000000"}}""""====
====SOLAR CELLS""""====
Click here to reach the [[SolarCell Nano-Tera.ch/wiki/Solar Cell]] page
====ENERGY HARVESTING""""====
==== ""Stevens Institute of Technology"": Miniature energy harvesting technologies highlighted====
**{Stevens Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Dept / Prof. Yong Shi}**
(July 2010)
Dr. Shi’s work focuses on miniature energy harvesting technologies that could potentially power wireless electronics, portable devices, stretchable electronics, [[http://www.foxypropaganda.com/digital-printing/ digital printing]] machines and implantable biosensors. The concept involves piezoelectric nanowire- and nanofiber-based generators that would power such devices through a conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy.**[[[http://www.nano.org.uk/news/701/ 28]]]**
==== ""Samsung"": Harvesting Energy From Touch Screens ====
**{[[http://www.sisa.samsung.com Samsung R&D Center]] and [[http://www.skku.edu/eng/ Sungkunkwan University]] }**
(June 2010)
Researchers at Sungkunkwan University in Korea, together with researchers at Samsung, have devised an innovative [[http://www.datingsinglesandrelationships.com/ dating advice]] technique of capturing power from a touch screen when it flexes under a user’s touch. On pressing a touch screen, a change is induced in the electrical potential across the nanowires that are originally used to detect the location of the touch. **[[[http://dataweek.co.za/article.aspx?pklArticleId=6198&pklCategoryId=31 27]]]**
==== ""SolarBotanic"": Vibration harvesting ====
**{[[http://www.solarbotanic.com/ Solar Botanic]]}**
(June 2010)
SolarBotanic Ltd is introducing artificial trees that make use of renewable energy from both the sun and wind; they are an efficient, clean and environmentally sound means of collecting solar radiation and wind energy to provide a renewable source of electricity. The nanoleaves convert the complete solar spectrum converting visible light, infrared and UV in combination with piezo electric generators that convert wind energy into electricity. The Nanoleaf is made up of a combination of photovoltaic and thermovoltaic materials that enable the leaf to produce electricity after the sun has set. **[[[http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/vibration-harvesting-00002391.asp?sessionid=1 26]]]**
==== ""Innowattech"": starts new pilot to harvest power from trains ====
**{[[http://www.innowattech.co.il/ Innowattech]]/ Yael Greenberg, Business Development & Marketing Executive}**
(Dec 2009)
Having already begun its pilot test of [[http://www.foxypropaganda.com/large-format-digital-printing/ large format digital printing]] technology to produce electricity from moving cars, startup Innowattech is moving onto trains. Yesterday the company, in collaboration with the Technion University and Israel Railways, began a new pilot to produce electricity from the railways. For the pilot, near the station at Lod, the "energy harvesting" startup installed standard rail tracks into which it integrated its unique power generators. The generators are made of piezoelectric materials that "harvest" mechanical strain - created when a car moves on the road or when a train moves on the track - and convert it into electrical power. **[[[http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/innowattech-starts-new-pilot-to-harvest-power-from-trains-1.2985 25]]]**
==== ""GreenTeg"": Thermoelectric Generators in flexible and low cost thermoelectric devices. ====
**{[[http://www.greenteg.com GreenTeg]]/[[http://www.greenteg.com/index.php?id=125 Dr. Wulf Glatz]]}**
Nearly all working or conversion processes in daily life are subject to losses. These losses manifest themselves mostly as waste heat, which largely dissipates unused to the environment. A prototype of a thermoelectric generator (TEG), which allows direct conversion of such waste heat into electric power, was recently developed by [[http://www.ideamarketers.com/?articleid=1408434 Lisa Alloju]] at the Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems. The novel fabrication process*, is energy-and material-efficient and allows production of foil-like, mechanically flexible TEGs over a large area. GreenTeg, a recently founded ETH spin-off, sells flexible and inexpensive thermoelectric equipment that converts waste heat into electricity. **[[[http://www.esc.ethz.ch/news/ESC_NL_September_e.pdf 23]]]**
*****""developed at ETH in the Lab of Prof Hierold, also involved in the Nano-tera.ch project""**[[CABTURES CabTuRes]]**
==== ""U. of California, Berkley"": Piezoelectric Nanofibres for Electric Clothes====
**{[[http://www.me.berkeley.edu/ U. of California, Berkley, Mechanical Engineering]] / [[http://www.me.berkeley.edu/~lwlin/ Prof. Liwei Lin]]}**
(Feb. 2010)
Researchers at Berkeley have developed nanofibres which convert movement into electricity. Mechanical stress, including stretching and twisting, generates the electricity in the fibres. The team says that the preliminary results suggest that finer fibres would be more efficient, and more vigorous movement would create more electricity. Prof. Liwei Lin says the fibres could be woven into fabrics with "no perceptible change in comfort". ** [[[http://www.tcetoday.com/tcetoday/NewsDetail.aspx?nid=12520 21]]]**
==== ""Cornell University"": Energy Harvesting "Piezo-Tree" Concept====
**{Cornell University}**
(Jan. 2010)
The main constituent of the "Piezo-tree" is of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) which is a flexible piezoelectric material. The movement of these special leaves is responsible for generating energy. They convert wind energy into electrical energy. The flapping motion of the leaves causes the instability of the aero-elastic system.
However, Cornell University researchers were able to generate only about 100 pW because of the weak piezoelectric strain coefficient of PVDF. Then, researchers attached a piece of plastic film to the end of the leaf along the direction of air flow. This move paid off. Now it showed around 100 times increase of power in the same condition. ** [[[http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/energy-harvesting-piezo-tree-concept/ 6]]]**
==== ""HEIG-VD"": Nanotechnologie pour micro-sources d'énergie====
**{HEIG-VD (HES-SO) / Dr. Laurent Gravier}**
(Oct. 2009)
Dans le domaine de l’électronique pour applications nomades, l’autonomie représente un enjeu crucial. Pour y répondre, des micro-dispositifs à basse consommation de plus en plus économes sont développés, pouvant désormais fonctionner plusieurs années avec une même batterie.
Les HEIG-VD ont développé des micro-générateurs thermoélectriques (μGTE) basés sur la fabrication de composites nano-structurés. La capture, la gestion et le stockage des faibles puissances électriques générées sont des éléments cruciaux pour un micro-générateur fonctionnel. Ce programme s’appuie également sur le développement d’une unité intelligente de gestion de puissance (CPUM).
Les premières applications visées sont l’alimentation de détecteurs ou sondes intelligentes, et de systèmes communiquant par wifi ou RFID. A plus long terme, des applications dans les Cleantech sont également visées, comme la récupération à grande échelle de la chaleur perdue dans les centrales thermiques ou les complexes industriels.** [[[https://documents.epfl.ch/groups/n/na/nano-tera/www/Gravier_CETT_Nanotechnologies.pdf 24]]]**
==== ""U. of Michigan"": Energy-Harvesting Sensor System Can Operate Nearly Perpetually====
**{U. of Michigan / Prof. David Blaauw}**
(Feb. 2010)
A 9 cubic millimeter solar-powered sensor system developed at the University of Michigan is the smallest that can harvest energy from its surroundings to operate nearly perpetually. The U-M system's processor, solar cells, and battery are all contained in its tiny frame, which measures 2.5 by 3.5 by 1 millimeters. It is 1,000 times smaller than comparable commercial counterparts. ** [[[http://www.nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=9431 7]]]**
==== ""Princeton"": Energy-Harvesting Rubber Could Power Phones====
**{Princeton / [[http://www.princeton.edu/mae/people/faculty/mcalpine1/ Prof. McAlpine]]}**
(Jan. 2010)
Talk about the rubber hitting the road. Researchers from Princeton and Caltech have come up with a power-generating rubber material that could harness walking and other movement to charge electronic devices. The material is made from nanoribbons composed of lead zirconate titanate, or PZT, a ceramic substance that's "piezoelectric. The "piezo-rubber chips" are embedded in clear silicone rubber sheets that produce electricity when flexed. ** [[[http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10444131-1.html 8]]]**
==== ""Perpetua Power"": Developement of Wearable Thermoelectric Generator to Power Wireless Sensors ====
**{[[http://www.perpetuapower.com/ Perpetua Power]] / Paul McClelland, VP of Technology}**
(Feb. 2010)
Perpetua Power Source Technologies has announced that the company has been awarded a contract to develop and demonstrate a wearable thermoelectric generator that can provide renewable energy to power wireless sensors. The device will be capable of harvesting available energy from body heat and convert it into usable electricity.
The device will feature an integrated energy storage and power management system and will utilize the company�s which use, which offers uniquely higher native voltages at low temperature differences.
Market applications include wireless body area network (WBAN) diagnostic systems for use in the healthcare industry for monitoring vital parameters in patients suffering from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Other applications may include military, security, sports medicine, and entertainment. **[[[http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wearable-thermoelectric-energy-harvesting-device-00002010.asp 9]]]**
==== ""IMEC"": Micromachined piezoelectric harvester drives fully autonomous wireless sensor====
**{[[http://www2.imec.be/be_en/home.html IMEC]]}**
(Dec. 2009)
For the first time, a piezoelectric harvesting device fabricated by MEMS technology generates a record of 85μW electrical power from vibrations. A wafer level packaging method was developed for robustness. The piezoelectric harvester was connected to a wireless temperature sensor, built op from of-the-shelf components. After power optimization, the consumption of the sensor was reduced by three orders of magnitude. When subjected to vibrations, the system generated sufficient power to measure the environmental temperature and transmit it to a base station with an interval of fifteen seconds. [[http://www.yadig.com Social Networking]] The result proves the feasibility of building fully autonomous harvesters for industrial applications.** [[[http://www.physorg.com/news180120643.html 22]]]**
====WIND ENERGY""""====
==== ""Humdinger Wind Energy"": Wind energy harvester====
**{[[http://www.humdingerwind.com/ Humdinger]] / Shawn Frayne, President}**
(March 2010)
Humdinger has developed a completely new approach to wind energy harvesters. The device uses aeroelastic flutter and vibration of a membrane rather than a spinning turbine. Compared to piezoelectric turbine-based systems, this is about ten times more efficient, producing milliwatts of power depending on the wind speed. Power is produced in air flows from as little as 3 m/s. At 5.5 m/s of wind flow the power output is 2mW. The power output versus wind speed is shown below.**[[[http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wind-energy-harvester-from-humdinger-00002146.asp?sessionid=1 30]]]**
==== ""CWind"": A More Durable Wind Turbine====
**{[[http://www.cwind.ca/ CWind]] / Paul Merswolke, Founder}**
(Dec. 2009)
CWind, a canadian startup has developed a small prototype wind turbine that uses friction instead of a gearbox to convert wind energy into electricity. CWind claims that its 'friction drive' system is more efficient and reliable--and less costly to maintain--than conventional wind turbines, which are prone to expensive gearbox failures [[http://www.islimphonewallet.com iphone leather case]]. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24050/ 10]]]**
==== ""Kite Gen"": Power kites to harvest wind energy====
**{[[http://www.kitegen.com/en/ Kite Gen]] / Massimo Ippolito}**
(Feb. 2010)
Experts say that the energy in winds miles above the earth is sufficient to provide the world's energy needs. Kite Gen uses kites or "semi-rigid automatically piloted high efficiency air foils" which harness energy from winds at altitudes of up to a thousand metres. The kites are attached to power generators on the ground by high resistance lines which control the kites' direction and angle to the wind. Kite Gen says their method is faster and more constant than using traditional windmills [[http://www.cash4mygold.co.uk/ sell gold]]. **[[[http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/power-kites-to-harvest-wind-energy-00002030.asp 11]]]**
====BATTERY / ENERGY STORAGE""""====
==== ""Drexel Uni."": New ultracapacitor material could be fabricated directly on chips and solar cells====
**{[[http://nano.materials.drexel.edu/ Drexel University in Philadelphia, Materials Science and Engineering]] / Prof. Yury Gogotsi}**
(April 2010)
Now researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia have demonstrated that it's possible to use techniques borrowed from the chip-making industry to make thin-film carbon ultracapacitors that store three times as much energy by volume as conventional ultracapacitor materials. While that is not as much as batteries, the thin-film ultracapacitors could operate without ever being replaced. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25170/ 31]]]**
==== ""Stanford Uni."": Nanotechnology Sparks Energy Storage on Paper and Cloth====
**{Stanford Material Sciences / Prof. Yi Cui}**
(Dec. 2009)
By dipping ordinary paper or fabric in a special ink infused with nanoparticles, Stanford engineer Yi Cui has found a way to cheaply and efficiently manufacture lightweight paper batteries and supercapacitors (which, like batteries, store energy, but by electrostatic rather than chemical means), as well as stretchable, conductive textiles known as "eTextiles" -- capable of storing energy while retaining the mechanical properties of ordinary paper or fabric. **[[[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100220204808.htm 12]]], [[[http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/december7/nanotubes-ink-paper-120709.html Standford News 14]]] [[[http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl903949m 18]]]**
==== ""U. of Miami & Tokyo"": Spin Battery or Battery Using New Source Of Energy====
**{Uni. of Miami & Uni. of Tokyo / Stewart E. Barnes}**
(March 2009)
Researchers release [[http://www.essaywriter.co.uk/services.aspx essays]] at the University of Miami and at the Universities of Tokyo and Tohoku, Japan, have been able to prove the existence of a "spin battery," a battery that is "charged" by applying a large magnetic field to nano-magnets in a device called a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The new technology is a step towards the creation of computer hard drives with no moving parts, which would be much faster, less expensive and use less energy than current ones. In the future, the new battery could be developed to power cars. **[[[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311162807.htm 13]]]**
==== ""U. of Maryland"": Nanocapacitors with Big-Energy Storage====
**{[[http://www.nanocenter.umd.edu/ U. of Maryland, MD NanoCenter]] / [[http://www.rubloffgroup.umd.edu/ Prof Gary Rubloff]], [[http://www.chem.umd.edu/directory/facultydirectory/sangboklee Prof. Sang Bok Lee]]}**
(March 2009)
The ultimate electronic energy-storage device would store plenty of energy but also charge up rapidly and provide powerful bursts when needed. Sadly, today's devices can only do one or the other: capacitors provide high power, while batteries offer high storage. Now researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a kind of capacitor that brings these qualities together[ ... ] Initial results show that it can store 100 times more energy than previous devices of its kind. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22297/ 19]]]**
==== ""Amprius"": More Energy in Batteries, Nanowire anodes could let lithium-ion batteries run twice as long====
**{[[http://www.amprius.com/ Amprius]] / [[http://www.amprius.com/people/bod/ Yi Cui]]}**
(Nov. 2009)
A new type of anode for lithium-ion batteries has been developped by a new startup, Amprius, that will let electric vehicles travel farther and mobile devices last longer without a recharge. Amprius' lithium-ion anodes are made of silicon nanowires, which can store 10 times more charge than graphite, the material used for today's lithium-ion battery anodes. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23893/ 20]]]**
====WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER""""====
==== ""WiTricity"" : Invisible power====
**{[[http://www.witricity.com WiTricity]] / Marin Soljačić , Founder, Prof at MIT}**
(Dec. 2009)
In 2007 at MIT, Prof. Soljacic realized with success the experiment to prove that two 'resonating' magnetic fields could transfer an electric current. With two large magnetic coils, he throw 60 watts across a room, powering a lightbulb. A company, **WiTricity**, was created to prove that Soljacic's magnetic coils could power almost any electrical device. **[[[http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/24/smallbusiness/next_little_thing_2010.fsb/index3.htm 15]]], [[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/18836/ 17]]]**
** ""Intel's"" Wireless Power Play:**
(June 2009)
Intel's wireless power project bears a strong resemblance with the WiTricity idea. The Intel project uses magnetic fields to transfer energy; the type of radiation shared between the two coils is nonradiative, which means that it's confined to a short distance of less than two meters [[http://reallycheaphealthinsurance.com affordable health insurance]]. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22906/ 16]]] - **
===={{color text="COMPANIES & INSTITUTIONS" c="#000000"}}""""====
===Companies===
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Humdinger Humdinger]]
""SolarBotanic""
""Innowattech""
""Semprius""
""First Solar""
""IBM""
""Perpetua Power""
""CWind""
""Kite Gen""
""Amprius""
""WiTricity""
""Intel""
""GreenTeg""
===Institutions===
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/SolarCell#Toronto TorontoUniversity]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Drexel Drexel University]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Stevens Stevens Institute of Technology]]
""U. of California, Berkley""
""Sandia National Laboratory""
""U. of Alberta""
""Cornell U.""
""Michigan U.""
""Princeton""
""Stanford U.""
""U. of Miami""
""U. of Maryland""
""IMEC""
===={{color text="REFERENCES" c="#000000"}}""""====
6. http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/energy-harvesting-piezo-tree-concept/
7. http://www.nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=9431
8. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10444131-1.html
9. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wearable-thermoelectric-energy-harvesting-device-00002010.asp
10. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24050/
11. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/power-kites-to-harvest-wind-energy-00002030.asp
12. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100220204808.htm
13. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311162807.htm
14. http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/december7/nanotubes-ink-paper-120709.html
15. http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/24/smallbusiness/next_little_thing_2010.fsb/index3.htm
16. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22906/
17. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/18836/
18. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl903949m
19. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22297/
20. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23893/
21. http://www.tcetoday.com/tcetoday/NewsDetail.aspx?nid=12520
22. http://www.physorg.com/news180120643.html
23. http://www.esc.ethz.ch/news/ESC_NL_September_e.pdf
24. https://documents.epfl.ch/groups/n/na/nano-tera/www/Gravier_CETT_Nanotechnologies.pdf
25. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/innowattech-starts-new-pilot-to-harvest-power-from-trains-1.2985
26. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/vibration-harvesting-00002391.asp?sessionid=1
27. http://dataweek.co.za/article.aspx?pklArticleId=6198&pklCategoryId=31
28. http://www.nano.org.uk/news/701/
29. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wind-energy-harvester-from-humdinger-00002146.asp?sessionid=1
30. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wind-energy-harvester-from-humdinger-00002146.asp?sessionid=1
31. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25170/
===={{color text="SEE ALSO" c="#000000"}}""""====
**[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/topdownbottomup/index.html Nano-Tera Top-Down Bottom-Up]]**
**[[HomePage NanoTeraWiki HomePage]]**
===Special Topics===
**[[SensorNetwork Wireless Network Sensor]]**
**[[CarbonNanotube Carbon Nanotubes]]**
**[[MicroFluidics Micro Fluidics]]**
**[[GreenComputing Green Computing]]**
**[[BodyMonitoring Body Health Monitoring]]**
**[[Security Security]]**
**[[SolarCell Sollar Cell]]**
----
[[CategoryWiki]]
----
===={{color text="CONTENT" c="#000000"}}====
**[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#News News]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/SolarCell Solar Cells]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Harvesting Energy Harvesting]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Storage Energy Storage/Battery]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Wind Wind Energy]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Wireless Wireless Energy transfer]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Ref References]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#See See Also]]
**
----
===={{color text="NEWS" c="#000000"}}""""====
====SOLAR CELLS""""====
Click here to reach the [[SolarCell Nano-Tera.ch/wiki/Solar Cell]] page
====ENERGY HARVESTING""""====
==== ""Stevens Institute of Technology"": Miniature energy harvesting technologies highlighted====
**{Stevens Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering Dept / Prof. Yong Shi}**
(July 2010)
Dr. Shi’s work focuses on miniature energy harvesting technologies that could potentially power wireless electronics, portable devices, stretchable electronics, [[http://www.foxypropaganda.com/digital-printing/ digital printing]] machines and implantable biosensors. The concept involves piezoelectric nanowire- and nanofiber-based generators that would power such devices through a conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy.**[[[http://www.nano.org.uk/news/701/ 28]]]**
==== ""Samsung"": Harvesting Energy From Touch Screens ====
**{[[http://www.sisa.samsung.com Samsung R&D Center]] and [[http://www.skku.edu/eng/ Sungkunkwan University]] }**
(June 2010)
Researchers at Sungkunkwan University in Korea, together with researchers at Samsung, have devised an innovative [[http://www.datingsinglesandrelationships.com/ dating advice]] technique of capturing power from a touch screen when it flexes under a user’s touch. On pressing a touch screen, a change is induced in the electrical potential across the nanowires that are originally used to detect the location of the touch. **[[[http://dataweek.co.za/article.aspx?pklArticleId=6198&pklCategoryId=31 27]]]**
==== ""SolarBotanic"": Vibration harvesting ====
**{[[http://www.solarbotanic.com/ Solar Botanic]]}**
(June 2010)
SolarBotanic Ltd is introducing artificial trees that make use of renewable energy from both the sun and wind; they are an efficient, clean and environmentally sound means of collecting solar radiation and wind energy to provide a renewable source of electricity. The nanoleaves convert the complete solar spectrum converting visible light, infrared and UV in combination with piezo electric generators that convert wind energy into electricity. The Nanoleaf is made up of a combination of photovoltaic and thermovoltaic materials that enable the leaf to produce electricity after the sun has set. **[[[http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/vibration-harvesting-00002391.asp?sessionid=1 26]]]**
==== ""Innowattech"": starts new pilot to harvest power from trains ====
**{[[http://www.innowattech.co.il/ Innowattech]]/ Yael Greenberg, Business Development & Marketing Executive}**
(Dec 2009)
Having already begun its pilot test of [[http://www.foxypropaganda.com/large-format-digital-printing/ large format digital printing]] technology to produce electricity from moving cars, startup Innowattech is moving onto trains. Yesterday the company, in collaboration with the Technion University and Israel Railways, began a new pilot to produce electricity from the railways. For the pilot, near the station at Lod, the "energy harvesting" startup installed standard rail tracks into which it integrated its unique power generators. The generators are made of piezoelectric materials that "harvest" mechanical strain - created when a car moves on the road or when a train moves on the track - and convert it into electrical power. **[[[http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/innowattech-starts-new-pilot-to-harvest-power-from-trains-1.2985 25]]]**
==== ""GreenTeg"": Thermoelectric Generators in flexible and low cost thermoelectric devices. ====
**{[[http://www.greenteg.com GreenTeg]]/[[http://www.greenteg.com/index.php?id=125 Dr. Wulf Glatz]]}**
Nearly all working or conversion processes in daily life are subject to losses. These losses manifest themselves mostly as waste heat, which largely dissipates unused to the environment. A prototype of a thermoelectric generator (TEG), which allows direct conversion of such waste heat into electric power, was recently developed by [[http://www.ideamarketers.com/?articleid=1408434 Lisa Alloju]] at the Chair of Micro- and Nanosystems. The novel fabrication process*, is energy-and material-efficient and allows production of foil-like, mechanically flexible TEGs over a large area. GreenTeg, a recently founded ETH spin-off, sells flexible and inexpensive thermoelectric equipment that converts waste heat into electricity. **[[[http://www.esc.ethz.ch/news/ESC_NL_September_e.pdf 23]]]**
*****""developed at ETH in the Lab of Prof Hierold, also involved in the Nano-tera.ch project""**[[CABTURES CabTuRes]]**
==== ""U. of California, Berkley"": Piezoelectric Nanofibres for Electric Clothes====
**{[[http://www.me.berkeley.edu/ U. of California, Berkley, Mechanical Engineering]] / [[http://www.me.berkeley.edu/~lwlin/ Prof. Liwei Lin]]}**
(Feb. 2010)
Researchers at Berkeley have developed nanofibres which convert movement into electricity. Mechanical stress, including stretching and twisting, generates the electricity in the fibres. The team says that the preliminary results suggest that finer fibres would be more efficient, and more vigorous movement would create more electricity. Prof. Liwei Lin says the fibres could be woven into fabrics with "no perceptible change in comfort". ** [[[http://www.tcetoday.com/tcetoday/NewsDetail.aspx?nid=12520 21]]]**
==== ""Cornell University"": Energy Harvesting "Piezo-Tree" Concept====
**{Cornell University}**
(Jan. 2010)
The main constituent of the "Piezo-tree" is of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) which is a flexible piezoelectric material. The movement of these special leaves is responsible for generating energy. They convert wind energy into electrical energy. The flapping motion of the leaves causes the instability of the aero-elastic system.
However, Cornell University researchers were able to generate only about 100 pW because of the weak piezoelectric strain coefficient of PVDF. Then, researchers attached a piece of plastic film to the end of the leaf along the direction of air flow. This move paid off. Now it showed around 100 times increase of power in the same condition. ** [[[http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/energy-harvesting-piezo-tree-concept/ 6]]]**
==== ""HEIG-VD"": Nanotechnologie pour micro-sources d'énergie====
**{HEIG-VD (HES-SO) / Dr. Laurent Gravier}**
(Oct. 2009)
Dans le domaine de l’électronique pour applications nomades, l’autonomie représente un enjeu crucial. Pour y répondre, des micro-dispositifs à basse consommation de plus en plus économes sont développés, pouvant désormais fonctionner plusieurs années avec une même batterie.
Les HEIG-VD ont développé des micro-générateurs thermoélectriques (μGTE) basés sur la fabrication de composites nano-structurés. La capture, la gestion et le stockage des faibles puissances électriques générées sont des éléments cruciaux pour un micro-générateur fonctionnel. Ce programme s’appuie également sur le développement d’une unité intelligente de gestion de puissance (CPUM).
Les premières applications visées sont l’alimentation de détecteurs ou sondes intelligentes, et de systèmes communiquant par wifi ou RFID. A plus long terme, des applications dans les Cleantech sont également visées, comme la récupération à grande échelle de la chaleur perdue dans les centrales thermiques ou les complexes industriels.** [[[https://documents.epfl.ch/groups/n/na/nano-tera/www/Gravier_CETT_Nanotechnologies.pdf 24]]]**
==== ""U. of Michigan"": Energy-Harvesting Sensor System Can Operate Nearly Perpetually====
**{U. of Michigan / Prof. David Blaauw}**
(Feb. 2010)
A 9 cubic millimeter solar-powered sensor system developed at the University of Michigan is the smallest that can harvest energy from its surroundings to operate nearly perpetually. The U-M system's processor, solar cells, and battery are all contained in its tiny frame, which measures 2.5 by 3.5 by 1 millimeters. It is 1,000 times smaller than comparable commercial counterparts. ** [[[http://www.nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=9431 7]]]**
==== ""Princeton"": Energy-Harvesting Rubber Could Power Phones====
**{Princeton / [[http://www.princeton.edu/mae/people/faculty/mcalpine1/ Prof. McAlpine]]}**
(Jan. 2010)
Talk about the rubber hitting the road. Researchers from Princeton and Caltech have come up with a power-generating rubber material that could harness walking and other movement to charge electronic devices. The material is made from nanoribbons composed of lead zirconate titanate, or PZT, a ceramic substance that's "piezoelectric. The "piezo-rubber chips" are embedded in clear silicone rubber sheets that produce electricity when flexed. ** [[[http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10444131-1.html 8]]]**
==== ""Perpetua Power"": Developement of Wearable Thermoelectric Generator to Power Wireless Sensors ====
**{[[http://www.perpetuapower.com/ Perpetua Power]] / Paul McClelland, VP of Technology}**
(Feb. 2010)
Perpetua Power Source Technologies has announced that the company has been awarded a contract to develop and demonstrate a wearable thermoelectric generator that can provide renewable energy to power wireless sensors. The device will be capable of harvesting available energy from body heat and convert it into usable electricity.
The device will feature an integrated energy storage and power management system and will utilize the company�s which use, which offers uniquely higher native voltages at low temperature differences.
Market applications include wireless body area network (WBAN) diagnostic systems for use in the healthcare industry for monitoring vital parameters in patients suffering from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Other applications may include military, security, sports medicine, and entertainment. **[[[http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wearable-thermoelectric-energy-harvesting-device-00002010.asp 9]]]**
==== ""IMEC"": Micromachined piezoelectric harvester drives fully autonomous wireless sensor====
**{[[http://www2.imec.be/be_en/home.html IMEC]]}**
(Dec. 2009)
For the first time, a piezoelectric harvesting device fabricated by MEMS technology generates a record of 85μW electrical power from vibrations. A wafer level packaging method was developed for robustness. The piezoelectric harvester was connected to a wireless temperature sensor, built op from of-the-shelf components. After power optimization, the consumption of the sensor was reduced by three orders of magnitude. When subjected to vibrations, the system generated sufficient power to measure the environmental temperature and transmit it to a base station with an interval of fifteen seconds. [[http://www.yadig.com Social Networking]] The result proves the feasibility of building fully autonomous harvesters for industrial applications.** [[[http://www.physorg.com/news180120643.html 22]]]**
====WIND ENERGY""""====
==== ""Humdinger Wind Energy"": Wind energy harvester====
**{[[http://www.humdingerwind.com/ Humdinger]] / Shawn Frayne, President}**
(March 2010)
Humdinger has developed a completely new approach to wind energy harvesters. The device uses aeroelastic flutter and vibration of a membrane rather than a spinning turbine. Compared to piezoelectric turbine-based systems, this is about ten times more efficient, producing milliwatts of power depending on the wind speed. Power is produced in air flows from as little as 3 m/s. At 5.5 m/s of wind flow the power output is 2mW. The power output versus wind speed is shown below.**[[[http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wind-energy-harvester-from-humdinger-00002146.asp?sessionid=1 30]]]**
==== ""CWind"": A More Durable Wind Turbine====
**{[[http://www.cwind.ca/ CWind]] / Paul Merswolke, Founder}**
(Dec. 2009)
CWind, a canadian startup has developed a small prototype wind turbine that uses friction instead of a gearbox to convert wind energy into electricity. CWind claims that its 'friction drive' system is more efficient and reliable--and less costly to maintain--than conventional wind turbines, which are prone to expensive gearbox failures [[http://www.islimphonewallet.com iphone leather case]]. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24050/ 10]]]**
==== ""Kite Gen"": Power kites to harvest wind energy====
**{[[http://www.kitegen.com/en/ Kite Gen]] / Massimo Ippolito}**
(Feb. 2010)
Experts say that the energy in winds miles above the earth is sufficient to provide the world's energy needs. Kite Gen uses kites or "semi-rigid automatically piloted high efficiency air foils" which harness energy from winds at altitudes of up to a thousand metres. The kites are attached to power generators on the ground by high resistance lines which control the kites' direction and angle to the wind. Kite Gen says their method is faster and more constant than using traditional windmills [[http://www.cash4mygold.co.uk/ sell gold]]. **[[[http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/power-kites-to-harvest-wind-energy-00002030.asp 11]]]**
====BATTERY / ENERGY STORAGE""""====
==== ""Drexel Uni."": New ultracapacitor material could be fabricated directly on chips and solar cells====
**{[[http://nano.materials.drexel.edu/ Drexel University in Philadelphia, Materials Science and Engineering]] / Prof. Yury Gogotsi}**
(April 2010)
Now researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia have demonstrated that it's possible to use techniques borrowed from the chip-making industry to make thin-film carbon ultracapacitors that store three times as much energy by volume as conventional ultracapacitor materials. While that is not as much as batteries, the thin-film ultracapacitors could operate without ever being replaced. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25170/ 31]]]**
==== ""Stanford Uni."": Nanotechnology Sparks Energy Storage on Paper and Cloth====
**{Stanford Material Sciences / Prof. Yi Cui}**
(Dec. 2009)
By dipping ordinary paper or fabric in a special ink infused with nanoparticles, Stanford engineer Yi Cui has found a way to cheaply and efficiently manufacture lightweight paper batteries and supercapacitors (which, like batteries, store energy, but by electrostatic rather than chemical means), as well as stretchable, conductive textiles known as "eTextiles" -- capable of storing energy while retaining the mechanical properties of ordinary paper or fabric. **[[[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100220204808.htm 12]]], [[[http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/december7/nanotubes-ink-paper-120709.html Standford News 14]]] [[[http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl903949m 18]]]**
==== ""U. of Miami & Tokyo"": Spin Battery or Battery Using New Source Of Energy====
**{Uni. of Miami & Uni. of Tokyo / Stewart E. Barnes}**
(March 2009)
Researchers release [[http://www.essaywriter.co.uk/services.aspx essays]] at the University of Miami and at the Universities of Tokyo and Tohoku, Japan, have been able to prove the existence of a "spin battery," a battery that is "charged" by applying a large magnetic field to nano-magnets in a device called a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The new technology is a step towards the creation of computer hard drives with no moving parts, which would be much faster, less expensive and use less energy than current ones. In the future, the new battery could be developed to power cars. **[[[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311162807.htm 13]]]**
==== ""U. of Maryland"": Nanocapacitors with Big-Energy Storage====
**{[[http://www.nanocenter.umd.edu/ U. of Maryland, MD NanoCenter]] / [[http://www.rubloffgroup.umd.edu/ Prof Gary Rubloff]], [[http://www.chem.umd.edu/directory/facultydirectory/sangboklee Prof. Sang Bok Lee]]}**
(March 2009)
The ultimate electronic energy-storage device would store plenty of energy but also charge up rapidly and provide powerful bursts when needed. Sadly, today's devices can only do one or the other: capacitors provide high power, while batteries offer high storage. Now researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a kind of capacitor that brings these qualities together[ ... ] Initial results show that it can store 100 times more energy than previous devices of its kind. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22297/ 19]]]**
==== ""Amprius"": More Energy in Batteries, Nanowire anodes could let lithium-ion batteries run twice as long====
**{[[http://www.amprius.com/ Amprius]] / [[http://www.amprius.com/people/bod/ Yi Cui]]}**
(Nov. 2009)
A new type of anode for lithium-ion batteries has been developped by a new startup, Amprius, that will let electric vehicles travel farther and mobile devices last longer without a recharge. Amprius' lithium-ion anodes are made of silicon nanowires, which can store 10 times more charge than graphite, the material used for today's lithium-ion battery anodes. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23893/ 20]]]**
====WIRELESS ENERGY TRANSFER""""====
==== ""WiTricity"" : Invisible power====
**{[[http://www.witricity.com WiTricity]] / Marin Soljačić , Founder, Prof at MIT}**
(Dec. 2009)
In 2007 at MIT, Prof. Soljacic realized with success the experiment to prove that two 'resonating' magnetic fields could transfer an electric current. With two large magnetic coils, he throw 60 watts across a room, powering a lightbulb. A company, **WiTricity**, was created to prove that Soljacic's magnetic coils could power almost any electrical device. **[[[http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/24/smallbusiness/next_little_thing_2010.fsb/index3.htm 15]]], [[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/18836/ 17]]]**
** ""Intel's"" Wireless Power Play:**
(June 2009)
Intel's wireless power project bears a strong resemblance with the WiTricity idea. The Intel project uses magnetic fields to transfer energy; the type of radiation shared between the two coils is nonradiative, which means that it's confined to a short distance of less than two meters [[http://reallycheaphealthinsurance.com affordable health insurance]]. **[[[http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22906/ 16]]] - **
===={{color text="COMPANIES & INSTITUTIONS" c="#000000"}}""""====
===Companies===
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Humdinger Humdinger]]
""SolarBotanic""
""Innowattech""
""Semprius""
""First Solar""
""IBM""
""Perpetua Power""
""CWind""
""Kite Gen""
""Amprius""
""WiTricity""
""Intel""
""GreenTeg""
===Institutions===
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/SolarCell#Toronto TorontoUniversity]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Drexel Drexel University]]
[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/nanoterawiki/Energy#Stevens Stevens Institute of Technology]]
""U. of California, Berkley""
""Sandia National Laboratory""
""U. of Alberta""
""Cornell U.""
""Michigan U.""
""Princeton""
""Stanford U.""
""U. of Miami""
""U. of Maryland""
""IMEC""
===={{color text="REFERENCES" c="#000000"}}""""====
6. http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/energy-harvesting-piezo-tree-concept/
7. http://www.nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=9431
8. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10444131-1.html
9. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wearable-thermoelectric-energy-harvesting-device-00002010.asp
10. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/24050/
11. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/power-kites-to-harvest-wind-energy-00002030.asp
12. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100220204808.htm
13. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311162807.htm
14. http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/december7/nanotubes-ink-paper-120709.html
15. http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/24/smallbusiness/next_little_thing_2010.fsb/index3.htm
16. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22906/
17. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/18836/
18. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl903949m
19. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/22297/
20. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/23893/
21. http://www.tcetoday.com/tcetoday/NewsDetail.aspx?nid=12520
22. http://www.physorg.com/news180120643.html
23. http://www.esc.ethz.ch/news/ESC_NL_September_e.pdf
24. https://documents.epfl.ch/groups/n/na/nano-tera/www/Gravier_CETT_Nanotechnologies.pdf
25. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/business/innowattech-starts-new-pilot-to-harvest-power-from-trains-1.2985
26. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/vibration-harvesting-00002391.asp?sessionid=1
27. http://dataweek.co.za/article.aspx?pklArticleId=6198&pklCategoryId=31
28. http://www.nano.org.uk/news/701/
29. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wind-energy-harvester-from-humdinger-00002146.asp?sessionid=1
30. http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/wind-energy-harvester-from-humdinger-00002146.asp?sessionid=1
31. http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25170/
===={{color text="SEE ALSO" c="#000000"}}""""====
**[[http://www.nano-tera.ch/topdownbottomup/index.html Nano-Tera Top-Down Bottom-Up]]**
**[[HomePage NanoTeraWiki HomePage]]**
===Special Topics===
**[[SensorNetwork Wireless Network Sensor]]**
**[[CarbonNanotube Carbon Nanotubes]]**
**[[MicroFluidics Micro Fluidics]]**
**[[GreenComputing Green Computing]]**
**[[BodyMonitoring Body Health Monitoring]]**
**[[Security Security]]**
**[[SolarCell Sollar Cell]]**
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[[CategoryWiki]]
