Energy harvesting technologies are set to transform IoT and consumer electronics by providing sustainable, efficient, and innovative power solutions. These advancements aim to significantly reduce reliance on traditional batteries, addressing environmental concerns and enhancing device performance. By offering eco-friendly alternatives, these technologies promise to extend device lifespan, reduce maintenance costs, and transform power sources in various applications, paving the way for a more sustainable future, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Saurabh Daga, Project Manager of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, comments: “The rapid development of energy harvesting technologies is crucial for reducing electronic waste and enhancing device efficiency and longevity. By harnessing ambient energy sources like light, vibrations, and radio waves, these innovations ensure continuous power supply in various environments, paving the way for more sustainable, reliable, and maintenance-free technology solutions, especially in remote or hard-to-reach areas.”
The Innovation Explorer database of GlobalData’s Disruptor Intelligence Center highlights how the potential of energy harvesting is further demonstrated by various company developments:
Ambient Photonics’ Indoor Solar Technology: US-based startup Ambient Photonics has unveiled a bifacial solar cell technology designed to power connected devices in low-light indoor conditions. This technology can harvest energy from both sides of the solar cell, significantly boosting efficiency. Using dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), Ambient Photonics’ innovation is effective even in low-light environments, offering a sustainable alternative to disposable batteries in devices such as remote controls, electronic shelf labels, and sensors.
Sony’s Electromagnetic Wave Noise-powered Module: Sony Semiconductor Solutions has developed an energy harvesting module leveraging electromagnetic wave noise, providing a stable power supply for low-power IoT devices amid increasing sophistication and popularity. This innovative technology utilizes electromagnetic noise from electronic devices, offering efficient power generation and enabling device status identification, promising diverse applications across industries.
POLYN Technology’s Vibrosense Chip: Israeli startup POLYN Technology has introduced Vibrosense, an ultra-low power AI chip designed for vibration pre-processing. This chip reduces the volume of sensor data sent to the cloud, conserving power and facilitating energy-harvesting designs. Vibrosense uses a neuromorphic analog signal processor (NASP) to preprocess vibration data at the sensor level, reducing computational burden and power consumption. This technology is particularly beneficial for applications such as structural health monitoring and industrial automation.
CAP-XX’s Ultra-Small Cylindrical Supercapacitor: Australian electronics manufacturer CAP-XX has launched a miniature GY cylindrical supercapacitor designed for IoT, medical, and other space-constrained devices. Measuring just 5mm in diameter and 12mm in length, this supercapacitor offers high peak pulse power and operates across a wide temperature range. It supports energy harvesting for applications such as HVAC sensors and portable medical devices, providing a reliable power source with minimal energy losses and compliance with environmental standards.
Daga concludes: “While energy harvesting technologies hold great promise, addressing challenges such as energy variability, high manufacturing costs, and device efficiency is essential to fully realize their benefits. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including manufacturers and researchers, are crucial for overcoming these hurdles and driving innovation and widespread adoption of these technologies.”
