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About Topic In Short: |
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Who: King
Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) | KAUST-led
international team including Kalaivanan Loganathan and Thomas Anthopoulos. |
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What: Wirelessly
powered electronics using alternative semiconductor materials for a more
sustainable Internet of Things (IoT). |
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How: The
IoT's growth demands energy-efficient and environmentally friendly power
sources. The team explored large-area electronics with energy harvesters like
photovoltaic cells and RF energy harvesters, eliminating battery reliance. |
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Introduction
The realm of the
Internet of Things (IoT) is evolving rapidly, promising a profound impact on
daily life and diverse industries. However, the surge in IoT devices and their
reliance on battery technology pose environmental challenges related to waste
and depletion of resources. In response, a pioneering international team of
researchers led by KAUST explores an innovative solution to develop
eco-friendly, wirelessly powered IoT sensors, with a vision for a more
sustainable future.
The Expanding
Influence of IoT
The Internet of
Things constitutes an interconnected network of smart objects serving various
purposes, from home security systems to self-driving cars and industrial
machinery. As the IoT continues to grow, projections indicate that it will
encompass trillions of devices in the coming decade, demanding energy-efficient
and sustainable power solutions to drive these devices.
Challenges
with Traditional Battery-Powered Sensors
The current
approach to powering IoT devices heavily relies on battery technology,
presenting several concerns. The regular replacement of batteries incurs
significant costs and contributes to environmental harm through electronic
waste generation. Additionally, the soaring demand for battery materials like
lithium may outpace global production capacities, further exacerbating resource
scarcity.
Wireless IoT
Sensors: A Greener Paradigm
The KAUST
research team introduces an alternative approach to tackle these challenges:
wirelessly powered IoT sensors. Leveraging energy harvesters like photovoltaic
cells and radio-frequency (RF) energy harvesters, these sensors draw energy
from the environment, eliminating the need for batteries and reducing
electronic waste. Large-area electronics play a pivotal role in enabling this
technology, offering eco-friendly solutions printable on flexible,
biodegradable substrates like paper.
Pioneering
Endeavors at KAUST Solar Center
KAUST alumnus
Kalaivanan Loganathan conducted groundbreaking research in Thomas Anthopoulos'
lab at the KAUST Solar Center. Loganathan's study focused on large-area nanogap
patterning using adhesion lithography, showcasing the potential of nanogap
devices across various applications. Presently, Loganathan serves as an R&D
Project Engineer at High NA Lab in Belgium, contributing to the advancement of
environmentally friendly technologies.
Evaluating
Large-Area Electronic Technologies
KAUST alumni
Kalaivanan Loganathan, alongside Professor Thomas Anthopoulos and researchers
from the KAUST Solar Center, assessed the feasibility of diverse large-area
electronic technologies to develop eco-friendly, wirelessly powered IoT
sensors. Notably, significant strides in solution-based processing facilitated
easier printing of devices and circuits on flexible, large-area substrates,
offering a more sustainable alternative to conventional silicon-based
technologies.
The Role of RF
Electronic Components
The KAUST team's
research has led to the creation of RF electronic components, encompassing
metal-oxide and organic polymer-based semiconductor devices known as Schottky
diodes. These components play a pivotal role in wireless energy harvesters,
significantly influencing the performance and cost of the sensor nodes.
Envisioning a
Sustainable Tomorrow
The team's
endeavors encompass scalable methodologies to manufacture RF diodes capable of
harvesting energy within the 5G/6G frequency range, providing essential
building blocks to power billions of sensor nodes sustainably. At present, the
team explores the seamless integration of these low-power devices with antennas
and sensors, presenting their true potential.
Thus Speak
Authors/Experts
According to the
visionary researchers involved in this groundbreaking study, wirelessly powered
large-area electronics pave the way for a sustainable Internet of Things. This
proposed technology not only curtails electronic waste and reduces the
environmental impact of battery production but also offers scalable and
cost-effective solutions to power the ever-expanding world of interconnected
IoT devices.
Conclusion
Embracing
eco-friendly, wirelessly powered sensors holds the key to the future of IoT,
extracting energy from the environment and reducing reliance on conventional
batteries, thus mitigating electronic waste. The KAUST-led international
research team's trailblazing efforts forge a path towards a sustainable and
eco-conscious Internet of Things, contributing to a brighter and greener
future.
Image
Gallery
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 Wirelessly powered electronics developed by KAUST researchers could help to make internet of things technology more environmentally friendly. Graphic: 2022 KAUST / Heno Hwang |
 While in Thomas Anthopoulos' lab in the KAUST Solar Center, KAUST alumnus Kalaivanan Loganathan studied large-area nanogap patterning based on adhesion lithography and the use of nanogap devices for various applications. Loganathan now works as an R&D Project Engineer at High NA Lab in Belgium. Photo: KAUST |
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All Images Credit: from References/Resources
sites [Internet] |
Hashtag/Keyword/Labels List:
#GreenerIoT
#WirelesslyPoweredElectronics #EcofriendlySensors #KAUSTResearch
#SustainableFuture #EnergyHarvesters
References/Resources List
2.
https://www.sustainabilitymenews.com/technology/a-greener-internet-of-things-with-no-wires-attached
3.
https://www.industrytap.com/researchers-discover-new-approach-to-eco-friendly-iot/65205
5.
https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/news/a-greener-internet-of-things-with-no-wires-attached
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…till next
post, bye-bye and take-care.
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