This unique resource provides a detailed understanding of the options for harvesting energy from localized, renewable sources to supply power to autonomous wireless systems. You are introduced to a variety of types of autonomous system and wireless networks and discover the capabilities of existing battery-based solutions, RF solutions, and fuel cells. The book focuses on the most promising harvesting techniques, including solar, kinetic, and thermal energy. You also learn the implications of the energy harvesting techniques on the design of the power management electronics in a system. This in-depth reference discusses each energy harvesting approach in detail, comparing and contrasting its potential in the field.
Introduction – Background and Motivation. Typical System Architecture. Intended Readership for This Book.
Wireless Devices and Sensor Networks – Introduction. Energy Requirements of Autonomous Devices. Enabling Technologies: Devices and Peripherals. Wireless Communication. Energy-Awareness in Embedded Software. Alternative Nonrenewable Power Sources. Discussion.
Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting – Introduction. Background. Solar Cell Characteristics. Module Characteristics. Irradiance Standards. Efficiency Losses. Device Technologies. Photovoltaic Systems. Summary.
Kinetic Energy Harvesting – Introduction. Kinetic Energy-Harvesting Applications. Inertial Generators. Transduction Mechanisms. Operating Frequency Range. Rotary Generators. Example Devices. Conclusions and Future Possibilities.
Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting – Introduction. Principles of Thermoelectric Devices. Influence of Materials, Contacts, and Geometry. Existing and Future Capabilities. Summary.
Power Management Electronics – Introduction. Interface Electronics for Kinetic Energy Harvesters. Interface Circuits for Thermal and Solar Harvesters. Energy Storage Interfaces. Future Outlook. Conclusions.
Energy Storage – Introduction. Micropower Supply for Wireless Sensor Devices. Implementations of 2D Microbatteries. Three-Dimensional Microbatteries. Electrochemical Microcapacitors. Conclusion.
Case Study: Adaptive Energy-Aware Sensor Networks – Introduction. Requirements. Energy Harvesting Sensor Node Hardware Design. Energy-Harvesting Sensor Node Demonstration Overview. Energy-Harvesting Sensor Node Software Design. Energy-Aware, Energy-Harvesting Node Demonstration. Conclusions.
Concluding Remarks. About the Editors. About the Contributors. Index.
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Stephen Beeby
Steven Beeby is an advanced research fellow at the School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton. He also the co-author of MEMS Mechanical Sensors (Artech House, 2004) and numerous journal articles and conference papers. He holds an Eng. (Hons) degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Portsmouth, U.K. and a Ph.D. in mechanical Engineering from the University of Southampton.
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Neil White
Neil White is head of the Electronics Systems and Devices Group and deputy head of school for enterprise at the School of Electronics and Computer Scienterprise at the School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton. He also the co-author of MEMS Mechanical Sensors (Artech House, 2004). A fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the Institute of Physics (IOP), as well as a senior member of the IEEE, he earned B.Sc. in electronics engineering at North Staffs Polytechnic and a Ph.D. in sensors at the University of Southampton.