How to power remote sensors that otherwise need dedicated feeds or battery replacement? Shashank Priya, an electrical engineer from the University of Texas, Arlington, addresses this problem. The 10cm windmill is geared to squeeze a piezoelectric material via a cam, reportedly providing 7.5mW in 16 kph wind. Normally, the efficiency of such a small turbine would be 1%, but the piezo increases this to 18%. Nature is carrying an update of research of this. Get on to the Nature website (requires registration) or read this letter for more details.
Via: The Watt
