Micropower

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Micropower describes the work that researchers at several universities are doing to develop very small electric generators and prime movers or devices to convert heat or motion to electricity. These devices would offer the promise of a power source for portable electronic devices which is lighter weight and has a longer operating time than batteries.

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[edit] Microturbine technology

The components of any turbine engine: the gas compressor, the combustion chamber, and the turbine rotor itself, are fabricated from etched silicon, much like integrated circuits. The technology holds the promise of ten times the operating time of a battery of the same weight as the micropower unit, and similar efficiency to large utility gas turbines. Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have thus far succeeded in fabricating the parts for such a micro turbine out of six etched and stacked silicon wafers, and are working towards combining them into a functioning engine about the size of a U.S quarter coin.[1]

Researchers at Georgia Tech have built a micro generator 10 mm wide, which spins a magnet above an array of coils fabricated on a silicon chip. The device spins at 100,000 revolutions per minute, and produces 1.1 watts of electrical power, sufficient to operate a cell phone. Their goal is to produce 20 to 50 watts, sufficient to power a laptop computer.[2]

Scientists at Lehigh University are developing a hydrogen generator on a silicon chip, which can convert methanol, diesel, or gasoline into fuel for a microengine or a miniature fuel cell.[3]

Professor Sanjeev Mukerjee of Northeastern University's chemistry department is developing fuel cells for the military which will burn hydrogen to power portable electronic equipment such as night vision goggles, computers, and communication equipment. In his system, a cartridge of methanol would be used to produce hydrogen to run a small fuel cell for up to 5,000 hours. It would be lighter than rechargeable batteries needed to provide the same power output, with a longer run time. Similar technology could be improved and expanded in future years to power automobiles.[4]

The National Academies' National Research Council recommended in a 2004 report that the U.S. Army should investigate such micropower sources for powering electronic equipment to be carried by soldiers in the future, since batteries sufficient to power the computers, sensors, and communications devices would add considerable weight to the burden of infantry soldiers.[5]

The Future Warrior Concept of the U.S. Army envisions a 2 to 20 watt micro turbine fueled by a liquid hydrocarbon being used to power communications and wearable heating/cooling equipment for up to six days on 10 ounces of fuel.[6]

[edit] Other microgenerator/nanogenerator technology

Professor Orest Symko of the University of Utah physics department and his students developed Thermal Acoustic Piezo Energy Conversion (TAPEC), devices of a cubic inch (16 cubic centimeters) or so which convert waste heat into acoustic resonance and then into electricity. It would be used to power microelectromechanical systems, or MEMS. The research was funded by the U.S. Army. Symko was to present a paper at the Acoustical Society of America.[7] June 8, 2007.

Professor Zhong Lin Wang of the Georgia Institute of Technology said his team of investigators had developed a "nanometer-scale generator (which) is based on arrays of vertically aligned zinc oxide nanowires that move inside a "zigzag" plate electrode." Built into shoes, it could generate electricity from walking to power small electronic devices. It could also be powered by blood flow to power biomedical devices. [8] Per an account of the device which appeared in the journal Science , bending of the zinc oxide nanowire arrays produces an electric field by the piezoelectric properties of the material. The semiconductor properties of the device create a Schottky barrier with rectifying capabilities. The generator is estimated to be 17% to 30% efficient in converting mechanical motion into electricity. This could be used to power biomedical devices which have wireless transmission capabilities for data and control. [9] A later development was to grow hundreds of such nanowires on a substrate which functioned as an electrode. On top of this was placed a silicon electrode covered with a series of platinum ridges. Vibration of the top electrode caused the generation of direct current.[10] A report by Wang was to appear in the August 8, 2007 issue of the journal "Nano letters," saying that such devices could power implantable biomedical devices. The device would be powered by flowing blood or a beating heart. It could function while immersed in body fluids,and would get its energy from ultrasonic vibrations. [11] Wang expects that an array of the devices could produce 4 watts per cubic centimeter.[12] Goals for further development are to increase the efficiency of the array of nanowires, and to increase the lifetime of the device, which as of April 2007 was only about one hour.[13]

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] “Engine on a chip promises to best the battery,” ScienceDaily, viewed 9/20/2006
  2. ^ [2] “Georgia Tech microgenerator can power electronics,” ScienceDaily, 1/25/2005, viewed 9/20/2006.
  3. ^ [3] “Power plant on a chip? It’s no small matter to Lehigh scientists,” ScienceDaily, 9/24/2001, viewed 9/20/2006
  4. ^ [4] "Military Looks To Northeastern Professor For A Future Powered By Fuel Cells." ScienceDaily, April 22, 2004, Source: Northeastern University. retrieved Jan. 24, 2007
  5. ^ [5] “New power sources needed for soldier of the future,” ScienceDaily, 9/13/2004, viewed 9/20/2006
  6. ^ [6] U.S. Armay Natick Soldier Research, "Future Warrior Concept." retrieved June 20, 2007
  7. ^ [7] June 4, 2007 press release, University of Utah. retrieved July 25, 2007
  8. ^ [8] Atlanta, Georgia, April 5, 2007. From a (UPI) story. retrieved July 25, 2007
  9. ^ [9] Wang, Zhong Lin and Song, Jinhui, "Piezoelectric nanogenerators based on zinc oxide nanowire arrays." Science,vol 312, April 14, 2006. retrieved July 25, 2007
  10. ^ [10] "Minuscule power plants, with potential uses in tiny devices." "Science Times" column.New York Times, page D1, April 10, 2007. retrieved July 25, 2007
  11. ^ [11] Atlanta, Georgia, July 19, 2007. From a (UPI) story. retrieved July 25, 2007
  12. ^ [12] Toon, John "Nanogenerator Provides Continuous Electrical Power. Device harvests energy from the environment to provide direct current." Press release, Georgia Institute of Technology, April 5, 2007. retrieved July 25, 2007
  13. ^ [13] "Nanogenerator Fueled by Vibrations. An array of zinc-oxide nanowires that generates current when vibrated with ultrasonic waves could provide a new way to power biological sensors and nanodevices." Technology Review. MIT. April 05, 2007. retrieved July 25, 2007

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[edit] External links