Energy Harvesting Wireless Strain Networks

Prime Research LC (PPLC) and Virginia Tech (VT) propose to develop an energy harvesting wireless strain node technology that utilizes single-crystal piezoelectric fiber-based energy harvesting, highly sensitive and low power piezoresistive strain gages, and ultra wide-band (UWB) ultra low power radio communication. Single crystal piezoelectric fibers promise to improve piezoelectric harvesting power density by a factor of 4?5?while the ultra wide-band radio (UWB) and piezoresistive strain gages promise to lower power requirements by almost 100x. The proposed Phase I work will demonstrate the technologies critical to successful commercialization of a low cost, mass producible, postage stamp sized wireless strain node. A key result of the Phase I effort will be demonstration of the proposed harvesting and sensing technologies. Demonstration of these two items will remove the most significant hurdles to a successful commercial product. Phase I will provide the data necessary to perform an integrated system design in the Phase I Option and during Phase II, PPLC and VT will fabricate the integrated device for use in field trials.