Advanced energy harvesting solutions could tackle IoT battery issues
The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is building upon the foundation of the internet of things, connecting billions of devices via mobile networks with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity and instant access to information. 4IR is reshaping industries across the board, driving organisations to reorganise and optimise operations by leveraging breakthrough technologies such as artificial intelligence, wireless communication and quantum computing.
Key constraints: energy efficiency and autonomy
However, integrating these technologies into everyday life is not without its challenges. A critical hurdle is the demand for reliable energy solutions to power these systems. Various applications such as medical and environmental monitoring, industrial automation, wireless sensor networks, intelligent transport and infrastructure monitoring increasingly rely on miniaturised, ultra-low-power devices. Devices like this raise the bar for energy efficiency and autonomy. Conventional batteries often fall short in meeting these demands, especially for devices requiring extended energy independence. This has created a pressing need for innovative power solutions, with energy harvesting emerging as a promising alternative.
Advanced solutions to overcoming energy challenges
The EU-funded NANO-EH project successfully developed a multi-source energy harvester platform by harnessing smart nanomaterials and innovative nanostructures. The project translated state-of-the-art research into engineering solutions, enabling efficient and scalable manufacturing processes. NANO-EH leveraged four classes of smart nanomaterials that are lead- and rare-earth-free. The project also demonstrated the potential of these materials to be recycled at the module level. “A notable achievement is the proof-of-concept for ambient wireless energy harvesting devices that utilise nanoscale oxide ferroelectrics operating across a wide range of commonly used wireless communication frequencies,” notes Mircea Gabriel Modreanu, project coordinator. These included frequencies 2.45 GHz, 24-27 GHz and 60 GHz. Researchers have also harnessed the pyroelectric effect – a property allowing certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to temperature changes – for energy harvesting, enabling the same materials to store this harvested energy in supercapacitors. This means that these materials can effectively combine energy harvesting and storage into a seamless system.
Adaptive and multi-source harvesting systems
The project also expanded the capabilities of its technological platform by integrating diverse energy solutions such as spherical solar cells, low-cost MoO3-based solar cells, piezoelectric harvesters and green, high-performance electrochemical solar cells. With the ability to adapt to ambient conditions, NANO-EH’s system ensures efficient and sustainable energy use. “We introduced a groundbreaking approach to on-demand energy harvesting, which enables the selection of the most suitable energy source – or a combination of sources – based on what is available in the environment,” says Modreanu.
A sustainable IoT energy solution
The demand for battery-free, ultralow-power devices is skyrocketing across various fields. NANO-EH project helps tackle the fragmented landscape in the IoT energy supply market by introducing a platform compatible with silicon planar technologies, which ensures integration with existing systems. Modreanu concludes with the impact that NANO-EH will have: “With 35 billion IoT devices projected to be deployed by 2035, the need for reliable, sustainable energy supply modules will grow exponentially. With its low-cost, easily deployable technological platform, NANO-EH is paving the way for innovative energy solutions that support this rapid expansion.”
Keywords
NANO-EH, energy-harvesting, IoT, internet of things, smart nanomaterials, fourth industrial revolution, supercapacitors