If you’ve used an ink-jet printer or a tiny hearing aid, chances are those devices have employed lead-zirconium-titanium oxide (PZT, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) piezoelectric ceramics as a means of generating ink droplets and amplified audio. These and numerous other applications have long used actuators and sensors employing piezoelectric materials which deform in response to an applied electric […]
FAQ
Using energy harvesting to power wireless IoT nodes and wearables
Three elements are necessary to effectively implement energy harvesting (EH) into wireless IoT nodes, wearables and similar low-power applications. First, it a detailed power profile needs to be developed that considers active and sleep modes to produce a realistic estimate of the average power consumption. The power profile is used to size both the harvester […]
Energy harvesting devices and ambient energy availability
Various forms of ambient energy are available in most environments. Depending on the environment and the power needs of the device, common energy harvester choices include light harvesters, thermoelectric harvesters, and mechanical vibration harvesters. Each of these energy harvesting technologies can be optimized for maximum performance in a given environment. In the case of light […]
Next-generation shielding may absorb electromagnetic interference rather than reflect it
Engineers trying to shield RF-sensitive circuitry a few years from now may have the option of using material that absorbs RF energy rather than just reflecting it. So say researchers at Drexel University and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology. They are researching a class of material called MXenes, and more specifically, titanium carbonitride […]
Energy harvesting applications, architectures, and the massive IoT
Wireless sensor nodes, wearables, trackers, and displays are typical devices that can be powered using energy harvesting (EH), also called ambient energy, energy scavenging, or power harvesting. The availability of ambient energy for harvesting varies depending on the location and environment where the device is used. Among the many possible sources of ambient energy, the […]
How to select components for a digital-controlled Totem-Pole PFC
By Bill Luo (Luo Zhizheng), Sr FAE, ACEINNA Transducer Systems and Jason Zhang (Zhang Liang), AE Director, Shenzhen Advantaged Power Limited There is a lot of attention being paid to advanced power systems. Energy efficiency has become a critical capability in today’s world, due to pressures from every sector of the market. To achieve substantial […]
Supercapacitor system design considerations
Supercapacitors can deliver more: More power density, more Farads, more cycle life, and so on. But they also demand more complex solutions to realize optimal performance. Among the many design considerations are managing supercapacitor discharge, optimizing supercapacitor charging, and, in the case of series configurations of supercapacitor modules, providing effective voltage balancing between cells. Properly […]
Supercapacitor specifications and IEC/EN 62391–1
When correctly used, supercapacitors can support high power levels, high pulse power loads, and long-term back-up power needs. Understanding the nuances of supercapacitor specifications is the key to maximizing these performance capabilities. There is some level of standardization for supercapacitor sizes, for example, a 10x30mm can supercapacitor is generally 10 Farads across the industry. Some […]
Supercapacitor operation – a higher power source
Thousands of Farads and power densities of thousands of watts per kilogram are among the chief benefits of supercapacitors (also called ultracapacitors). These devices operate in a fundamentally different way compared with conventional capacitors or batteries. Most supercapacitors commonly used today are double-layer capacitors which provide high power capabilities. Pseudo-capacitors are a less common form […]
Automotive load dump TVS – A unique transient voltage suppression application
Kevin Parmenter, Director, Applications Engineering, Taiwan Semiconductor, US Transient protection is common in nearly all electronic circuits. Self-contained automotive electronics systems present a unique challenge requiring a different type of transient voltage suppressor (TVS) Almost all electronics systems need to be protected from transients and surges. TVS devices are often used to ensure the […]