AA size micro power conversion cell for wireless applications

This paper presents the preliminary design and experimental results of a standard AA size vibration-induced micro energy transducer which is integrated with a power-management circuit. The transducer is a spring mass system which uses SU-8 molding and MEMS electroplating technologies fabricated copper springs to convert mechanical energy into electrical power by Faraday´s law of induction. We have shown that when the MPG is packaged into an AA battery size container along with a power-management circuit that consists of rectifiers and a capacitor, it is capable of producing ∼1.6 V DC when charged for less than 1 min. Potential applications for this micro power generator to serve as a power supply for a wireless temperature sensing system was proved to be possible with input frequencies at about 100 Hz and amplitudes be approximately 250 microns.