Power Supply for Meso-Sensors

In this proposed Phase II effort, TPL and Washington State University (WSU) will develop a meso-scale power system that will occupy a total volume less than 0.1cm^3, and with a footprint less than 1cm^2. This novel device will combine a novel energy-harvesting device developed at WSU, known as the P3 (Palouse Piezo Power) Piezoelectric Motor with TPL's patented micro-supercapacitors for energy storage. The P3 converts ambient thermal energy to electrical energy with high efficiency through a carefully engineered piezoelectric membrane, while micro-supercapacitors provide high specific power to meet high power transients. Combining the P3 with TPL's micro-supercapacitors is the only way to meet DARPA's desired power, volume and footprint constraints and enables MORE THAN AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE reduction in size over any other energy delivery solution. In this proposed effort, we will design and build microsupercapacitors to deliver up to 500mW for up to 1s; demonstrate reliability of the P3 over long term (billion) cycling; combine a P3 and microsupercapacitor; charge the micro-supercapacitor using the P3, and demonstrate that the combined device can deliver multiple charge-discharge cycles. Successful completion of the effort will demonstrate a unique integrated energy conversion and energy storage device suitable for use in meso-scale sensors.