It is usually not always possible to replace batteries in devices that are embedded to a patient’s body or certain unapproachable areas of complicated machinery. The element of inconvenience makes such replacements evermore intricate. Anyhow, MIT researchers think about it the other way i.e. eliminating such replacements altogether and subjecting these nanodevices to body heat. Anantha Chandrakasan, Joseph F, Nancy P. Keithley and Yogesh Ramadass suggest powering these wireless sensor products with the temperature difference between the body (and another warm object) and the surrounding air.
Until now, researchers and scientists have been exploiting temperature differences of tens to hundreds of degrees C. However, MIT’s devices could bring it down to just one or two degrees, and could produce usable amounts of electric power. A control circuit and a storage capacitor make these devices workable. At the International Solid State Circuits Conference in San Francisco, the researchers presented their findings.
Via: MIT News