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Disaggregate and rule: Optimizing power consumption estimation in commercial buildings

Researchers propose a disaggregation strategy to estimate power consumption of individual electrical facilities, improving accuracy over traditional methods. The new approach uses linear regression residuals and clustered daily routines to provide more accurate estimations for workdays and holidays.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalEnergy and Buildings·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 28, 2022

Now everyone can build battery-free electronic devices

Researchers introduce a new platform called BFree that allows users to build battery-free devices using intermittent energy harvesting. The system includes energy-harvesting hardware and a power-failure-resistant version of Python, making it accessible to novice programmers.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2021

New record-breaking thermoelectric material

Seoul National University researchers have created a new record-breaking thermoelectric material using tin and selenium elements, overcoming previous limitations with high performance and toxicity concerns. The material achieves a thermoelectric figure of merit greater than 3.1 and power generation efficiency exceeding 20% in bulk form.

SourceSeoul National University·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 2, 2021

Reaping the benefits of noise

Researchers at AMOLF discovered that introducing slow non-linearity can increase the efficiency of mechanical oscillators harvesting energy from noise. This phenomenon, known as stochastic resonance, becomes robust to variations in signal frequency when systems have memory.

SourceAMOLF·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 27, 2021

Wireless and battery-free spintronic energy harvester

Researchers at Tohoku University and NUS developed an array of electrically connected spintronic devices that can harvest a 2.4 GHz wireless signal to power small electronic devices and sensors. The technology overcomes the challenge of synchronizing multiple magnetic tunnel junctions, enabling efficient energy harvesting.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 19, 2021

Patching up your health

Researchers at Osaka University and JOANNEUM RESEARCH developed ultrathin self-powered e-health patches that can monitor a user's pulse and blood pressure. The patches use embedded piezoelectric nanogenerators to harness biomechanical energy, enabling wireless health monitoring without the need for wires or batteries.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2021

Leading blue energy revolution

Researchers at CUHK have developed a water-tube-based triboelectric nanogenerator (WT-TENG) for harnessing irregular and low-frequency environmental energy, such as ocean waves. The device generates high output volumetric charge density, reaching 9 mC/m3, and can be easily combined to create larger units for increased power generation.

SourceThe Chinese University of Hong Kong·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMar 18, 2021

New piezoelectric material remains effective to high temperatures

A new piezoelectric material developed by Penn State researchers remained effective at elevated temperatures, allowing for the creation of self-powering sensors and energy harvesters. The material performed well beyond 482 F (250 C), enabling potential applications in aerospace, automotive, and wearable devices.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateFeb 3, 2021

Good vibrations for new energy

Scientists at Flinders University have created a new type of nanogenerator that can capture power from environmental vibrations, enabling the development of wireless charging systems and implantable energy harvesting devices. The technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we generate and use energy.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNano Energy·DateOct 21, 2020

Scientists tap unused energy source to power smart sensor networks

Researchers have created a device capable of converting low-level magnetic fields into usable electricity, with 400% higher power output than existing technology. This technology has significant implications for designing self-powered wireless sensor networks in smart buildings, potentially leading to substantial energy savings.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMar 31, 2020

Static electricity as strong as lightning can be saved in a battery

A new technology has been developed to collect and convert static electricity into usable energy, which can be used to power devices such as sensors and calculators. The researchers successfully increased the amount of energy generated by a 'triboelectric nanogenerator' using a nanoimprinting process and poling technique, achieving a c...

Ionic thermal up-diffusion boosts energy harvesting

Scientists have discovered that ionic thermal up-diffusion can significantly improve the efficiency of nanofluidic salinity gradient energy harvesting by promoting selectivity and suppressing ion concentration polarization. This innovative approach enables the creation of tunable ionic voltage sources, leading to enhanced power output.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateAug 6, 2019

Harvesting energy from the human knee

Researchers developed an energy harvester attached to the wearer's knee that generates 1.6 microwatts of power while walking without increased effort. The device captures biomechanical energy through natural human motion, offering a potential solution for self-powered wearable devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 17, 2019

Harvesting water energy using slippery surfaces

Scientists have developed a new triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) called SLIPS-TENG, which can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in harsh environments. The device uses a slippery lubricant-impregnated porous surface to address durability and biofilm coverage issues.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMar 27, 2019