Sensors & Electronics
Electronics & Systems
Sensor Power from Ambient Energy (315)
Problem: Need to power sensors in remote or inaccessible areas without batteries or hardwiring to a power supply
Project Activity Scope (from Technical Overview Chart): Interaction Mechanisms through Circuits and Devices
PNNL Solution:
- Harvest ambient thermal energy and convert it into electricity using a thermoelectric (TE) battery
- Develop advanced thin-film TE materials that enable greater generation capacity (i.e. higher voltage output)
- Demonstrate prototype TE battery integrated with radio-frequency tag and temperature sensor
Capabilities Employed to Meet Client Needs: Semiconductor physics including thermoelectric effect and device trade-offs; semiconductor material preparation; thermal system analysis and integration; TE device design, testing and analysis.
Contact: John DeSteese
