The V-Power vibration energy harvester is an alternative to traditional batteries. Because it generates power from the surrounding environment, it is a green energy source that requires virtually no maintenance or replacement. Applications include:
Automotive / Aerospace: There are applications for which traditional power sources are not reliable or preferred. From tire air pressure sensors where batteries are difficult to change and hard-wiring is impossible to safety systems that must operate when traditional power systems fail, vibration energy harvester provide a safe, reliable, cost effective solution.
Building Technologies: Applications for building technologies include battery free wireless sensors for structural health monitoring and safety systems for buildings in the event of a power loss.
Consumer Electronics: Many low power consumer electronics are suitable candidates for vibration energy harvesting. These harvesters can be used as a sole power source or as a means to extend battery life.
Medical Implants: Medical devices deployed inside the body are vital to the life and well being of the patient. But without electricity, these devices cannot function. Vibration energy harvesting can use the patient's own body movement and heartbeat to provide power for these life saving devices.
Unattended Sensor Networks: Unattended sensor networks are used in military, scientific, and security applications. Typically sensors are deployed in areas where battery replacement is difficult or impossible. Therefore the life of the device is dictated by the battery. Vibration energy harvesters remove this limitation increasing the life and usefulness of the deployed sensor.
Vibration energy harvesting is possible because of a physical phenomenon called resonance. When a system is vibrated at its resonant frequency, even a small driving force can cause large displacement amplitudes.
The video to the right is an example of this phenomenon in action. It shows the V-Power energy harvester on a vibration table being vibrated at 90 Hz (shown here in slow motion). The resonance is so efficient at coupling energy that the movement of the vibration table is undetectable.
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