Page 59 - M.B.S.C.E.T MAGAZINE 2021

Recycling Radio Waves

Researchers led by Manos Tentzeris have developed an
electromagnetic energy harvester that can collect enough

ambient energy from the radio frequency (RF) spectrum to
operate devices for the Internet of Things (IoT), smart skin

and smart city sensors, and wearable electronics.

Harvesting radio waves is not brand new, but previous

efforts have been limited to short-range systems located
within meters of the energy source, explained Tentzeris, a

professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical and
Computer Engineering. His team is the first to demonstrate

long-range energy harvesting as far as seven miles from a

source.

The researchers unveiled their technology in 2012,

harvesting tens of microwatts from a single UHF television

channel. Since then, they’ve dramatically increased
capabilities to collect energy from multiple TV channels,

WiFi, cellular, and handheld electronic devices, enabling the
system to harvest power in the order of milliwatts. Hallmarks

of the technology include:

• Ultra-wideband antennas that can receive a variety of
signals in different frequency ranges.

• Unique charge pumps that optimize charging for arbitrary
loads and ambient RF power levels.

• Antennas and circuitry, 3-D inkjet-printed on paper, plastic,
fabric, or organic materials, that are flexible enough to

wrap around any surface. (The technology uses principles
from origami paper-folding to create “smart” shape-

changing complex structures that reconfigure themselves in
response to incoming electromagnetic signals.)

NAME- HARNEET KOUR
DEPARTMENT- CSE