Sony Semiconductor Solutions introduces Innovative Energy Harvesting Module for Enhanced Sustainability

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS) has launched a energy harvesting module that harnesses electromagnetic wave noise energy. Leveraging its expertise in tuner development, SSS has developed a technology that efficiently generates power from electromagnetic wave noise. This innovative module can utilize the constant electromagnetic wave noise generated by various electronic devices, such as robots in factories, monitors and lighting in offices, and TVs in stores and homes, to provide a stable power supply for low-power IoT sensors and communications equipment.

With the increasing popularity and sophistication of IoT devices, the challenge of powering these devices has become more important. SSS’s energy harvesting technology offers a promising solution for a wide range of applications. The company aims to incorporate this technology into its efforts to build a power circulation model, contributing to the development of a sustainable IoT society.

Energy harvesting is a technology that holds great potential for both IoT development and environmental sustainability. Research in this field focuses on harnessing electrical waves, light, heat, and vibration. SSS’s new technology stands out as it utilizes the electromagnetic wave noise generated by all electrical equipment. This method of power generation is highly efficient and represents a significant advancement in energy harvesting.

The module’s design is based on antenna technology developed during tuner development at SSS. It utilizes the metal parts of electronic devices, which serve as sources of electromagnetic wave noise, as part of an antenna. The module also incorporates a rectifier circuit with enhanced electricity conversion efficiency. This unique structure enables the conversion of electromagnetic wave noise within the range of several Hz to 100 MHz into electrical energy, providing power to low-power IoT sensors and communications equipment or charging batteries, all within a compact size. This marks the industry’s first energy harvesting technology to achieve such high efficiency through this method.

The module’s minimal number of components allows for a compact design that offers greater flexibility in installation. Additionally, it can harvest energy even when electronic devices are not in active use, as long as they are powered. This versatility makes the technology suitable for a wide range of usage scenarios, including factories, offices, stores, and homes, both indoors and outdoors.

Key Features:

1. High level of power generation: The module can harvest power ranging from several dozen μW to several dozen mW by utilizing electronic devices that generate significant amounts of electromagnetic wave noise, such as household appliances, computers, lighting equipment, vending machines, elevators, automobiles, and industrial equipment. This enables the supply of power to low-power IoT sensors and communications equipment.

2. Applicable to a wide range of use cases: Unlike other energy harvesting methods that rely on sunlight, electrical waves, or temperature differences, which are affected by environmental factors, this module can harvest power as long as electronic devices are powered, even when they are not in active use. This continuous harvesting capability sets it apart.

3. Compact design with easy installation: The module’s minimal number of components allows for a compact design that offers greater freedom in installation.

4. Device status identification: By continuously harvesting electromagnetic wave noise from electronic devices, this technology can also detect changes in harvested voltage, enabling the identification of the internal status of the device. This feature has potential applications in areas such as monitoring lighting functionality or predicting device failure in robots with built-in motors.

SSS is excited to collaborate with partners from various industries to develop products based on this promising technology. Its versatility and efficiency make it suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Background Information

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