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Tiny Generator Runs Off Vibrations

Posted by kdawson on from the shaken-not-stirred dept.

Warbothong writes "Researchers at Southampton University in the UK have developed a tiny generator that uses local vibrations to output microwatts of power. The device is smaller than one cubic centimeter. It shows promise as an alternative to batteries for applications where frequent battery replacement would not be feasible. The devices are currently being used in industry where 'there is the potential for embedding sensors in previously inaccessible locations,' but its creators imagine it could be used in devices such as pacemakers, where the beating of the heart would produce ample movement to power the magnetic mechanism."

3 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. Old tech by mulvane · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Wrist watches have had this for years now. I think it was casio who first started doing it wide scale.

    1. Re:Old tech by TheMeuge · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I think for the watches, the amplitude of the "vibration" needs to be much higher in order to swing the arm. I doubt tiny little vibrations would do it, so for an application such as pacemaker, such a technology wouldn't do.

      But yes, this looks extremely promising. Couple this with a nice, but small capacitor, with a capacity for 2-3 shocks (probably 5-15mA per discharge will be sufficient), and you've got a nice little pacemaker that recharges itself.

  2. Free Energy by Wilson_6500 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There's plenty of free energy out there. The problem is coaxing thermodynamics to let us have it.