Energy Harvesting

摘要

The term 'energy harvesting' is generally defined as the conversion of ambient energy to electricity in order to power small or mobile devices. As a part of the much broader green revolution it is specifically concerned with rationalising the need for batteries in such devices, by harnessing a range of sources including heat, light and movement. Current activity in the energy harvesting market embraces specific techniques for harvesting movement, heat and light, and extends to include the development of harvesting tolerant electronics, biobatteries and supercabatteries (ultracapacitors). This brief overview will focus on those developments considered most likely to offer relatively near-term benefits to the defence community.