Micro-generator feeds on good vibrations 12:56 04 July 2007 NewScientist.com news service Will Knight
A sugar-cube-sized electric generator that feeds on environmental vibrations has been developed. It could power swarms of wireless sensors or even medical implants, researchers claim. The new micro-generator harvests power electromagnetically, exploiting the wobbling of several magnets attached to a millimetre-sized cantilever. It measures just 7.0 millimetres by 7.0 mm by 8.5 mm, and the team behind it say it is the most efficient micro-generator yet developed
This is cool. The article says that it generates 46 microwatts, which isn't that much power. I wonder if there's a way to wire them such that you can aggregate the power to something significant. That would make sense if they are lined across the superstructure of skyscraper and harvesting power from the building's natural vibrations.
30% of the overall kinetic energy is harvested. That's pretty dang good for any generator, much less a micro one.
Pic!
Brave New Leaf - Everyman Environmentalism http://www.bravenewleaf.com
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