Heterogeneous multi-harvester for wireless sensor networks

The majority of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) applications requires long-term and unattended operation for each wireless sensor node. Scavenging energy from the surrounding environment has become an established technique to match the power demand of the nodes and to overcome the bottlenecks due to the battery-powered devices. In this demonstration we will show a microcontroller-based architecture which can collect energy from light and air-flow by performing high-efficiency conversion (higher than 80%)and maximum power point tracking algorithms. Experimental results obtained from the deployment in a structural health monitoring system in Switzerland have shown that energy neutrality is achievable in real-life scenarios.