Toolbox/Intelligent Advisor for Creating Pedagogically Correct,

This SBIR will perform research leading to design, prototyping, and feasibility demonstration of an Inactive RF Tag made with a Radio Frequency Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (RF-MEMS) as a means to provide power scavenging in a power poor environmentfound in underground missile storage areas. The research will develop the use of RF-MEMS switches in conjunction with RF MEMS sensors as a means to detect and collect ambient and RF energy generated by portable systems used during inspections of anEnvironmental Monitoring System (EMS). The project will design, build, test, and demonstrate a prototype Inactive RF Tag that, when not being interrogated, consumes zero watts and collects power from ambient RF in a micro capacitor acting as a batterycharger. In use, the Inactive RF Tag will awaken on entry of the soldier assigned to inspecting the stored munitions. The collected energy will be used to conserve the energy stored in the EMS, thus significantly increasing its battery life. Powerscavenging techniques in cold dark storage areas could revolutionize the electronic market, in the same way solar power scavenging did. This technology could be used in conjunction with solar power cells and be able to provide charging ability during bothnight and day. Such a device will have broad use in inventory control, enabling battery-less, wireless sensor systems, in wireless monitoring of stored products, and reduce the use of expensive batteries used in remote wireless inspection systems.