SE7: Next generation energy scavenging systems

A decade of research and development in the area of energy scavenging has resulted in micro-generators based on photovoltaic, vibration, and thermal mechanisms that produce 10´s to 100´s microwatts of power. These generators could power ultra low-power portable devices from sensors and embedded processors to MP3 players, medical electronics, etc. More recently, there has also been a push towards wireless power transfer that can provide power to higher power portable equipments or appliances.