Eco Factor: Sensors powered by piezoelectricity.
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have created the world’s first self-powered sensors at nanometric scale. The sensors are equipped with thousands of nanowires that generate electricity whenever they are subjected to mechanical strain. These nano-scale generators will be able to power microscopic sensors.
The research team has been working on the system for the last five years and discovered that reducing the size of the components radically increased their efficiency, making them ideal for use in microscopic sensors. The generators feature large arrays of zinc oxide nanowires and their output voltage is proportionate to the mechanical strains being applied.
The team stated that the generators are producing a peak voltage of 1.26V and a peak power density of 2.7mW per cubic centimeter. The generators will be manufactured via a chemical process to facilitate low-cost manufacture on flexible substrates.
Via: Gizmag
