In an era marked by the pursuit of sustainable and efficient technological solutions, energy-harvesting robots emerge as a beacon of hope. By extracting power directly from their surroundings, these robots promise a new frontier in autonomous operations, limiting the dependency on traditional charging methods or battery replacements.
Energy-harvesting robots are robots equipped with technology that allows them to generate and store energy from their environment to power their operations. This innovative approach offers several advantages, including increased autonomy and sustainability. Here are several key features of energy-harvesting robots:
Ultimately, energy-harvesting robots represent a promising area of research and development, offering potential solutions to the challenges of energy sustainability and autonomous operation in various domains.
Energy-harvesting robots find relevance across various industries and applications. Their capability to utilize ambient energy sources allows for prolonged operations, which is especially important in remote or inaccessible areas. These robots are ideal for environmental monitoring—whether it's tracking oceanic patterns by harnessing wave energy or observing wildlife through solar power. Agriculture is another sector ripe for innovation, with robots that can monitor soil conditions or assist in crop cultivation while drawing power from the sun or wind. Moreover, the vast expanse of outer space beckons, with robots exploring celestial bodies using harvested solar energy.
Microrobotics with energy harvesting capabilities have also found applications in disaster relief scenarios. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiated its Short-Range Independent Microrobotic Platforms (SHRIMP) program with the purpose of advancing microrobots’ functionality by developing improved energy efficiency techniques (Figure 1). With advanced functionality, energy-harvesting microrobots will better perform disaster relief activities in harsh environments.
Figure 1: DARPA’s SHRIMP program develops microrobotics for disaster recovery and high-risk environments. (Source: DARPA)
While the prospects seem boundless, the journey of energy-harvesting robots is not without its hurdles. The energy density from ambient sources often pales in comparison to conventional batteries, limiting the robot's continuous operational capabilities. The inconsistency of environmental energy—be it the sun on a cloudy day or the absence of wind—poses reliability concerns. Additionally, the technology grapples with issues of conversion efficiency, effective energy storage, and the added weight and size of harvesting modules. A balance between sustainability and efficiency remains to be struck.
Should these challenges be addressed, the future of energy-harvesting robots shines bright. An evolution in materials science or breakthroughs in storage solutions could propel these robots to the forefront of many industries. As the integration of these technologies becomes more seamless, and as efficiency and reliability improve, we could witness an era where robots operate for extended periods without human intervention, all while leaving a minimal carbon footprint.
Redefining traditional charging and battery paradigms requires new products that evolve how we approach power supply and management in the latest designs. This week’s New Tech Tuesday features two products that work toward that effort.
The Vishay / BC Components 230 EDLC-HV ENYCAP™ polarized energy storage capacitors are high capacity and high density. The double-layer capacitors have a useful life of 2,000 hours at 85°C and an operating voltage of up to 3V. The series features rapid charging and discharging with maintenance-free operation. Power backup, burst power support, and energy recovery are just a few of the applications for the Vishay / BC Components 230 EDLC-HV ENYCAP capacitors.
Next, the TDK BCS Low Illumination Solar Cells are advanced, slim, lightweight, and flexible amorphous silicon-type film solar cells available in circular or quadrangle shapes. They exhibit remarkable power generation efficiency under fluorescent lamps and LED light sources, maintaining consistent output in low and dim lighting conditions. These solar cells reduce battery replacement and wiring costs while helping extend the lifespan of primary batteries and rechargeable devices' operational time. TDK's clean-energy BCS Low Illumination Solar Cells are ideal for environmental energy-harvesting applications.
Energy-harvesting robots encapsulate the dream of merging sustainability with technological advancement. The emerging research and wide-ranging applications for these robots reveal new directions in power management. While the path is not without its challenges, the potential rewards—in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation—paint a future that's both exciting and promising.
Sources:
Coxworth, Ben. “Tiny energy-harvesting MilliMobile robot has no need for batteries.” New Atlas, September 28, 2023. https://newatlas.com/robotics/energy-harvesting-millimobile-robot/.
Crowe, Steve. “DARPA SHRIMP challenge developing microrobots for disaster relief.” The Robot Report, July 20, 2018. https://www.therobotreport.com/darpa-shrimp-microbots-disaster/.
Ftobe. “The Ultimate Guide to Agricultural Robotics.” Robotics Business Review, January 1, 2017. https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/agriculture/the_ultimate_guide_to_agricultural_robotics/#:~:text=Price%3A%20%24250%2C000%20for%20a%20harvester,works%20on%20several%20investment%20paths.
Fu, Yiqiang, Hongqiang Wang, Yunlong Zi, and Xuanquan Liang. “A multifunctional robotic system toward moveable sensing and energy harvesting.” Nano Energy 89, November 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106368.
Katiyar, Shiv A., Loong Yi Lee, Fumiya Iida, and Surya G. Nurzaman. “Energy Harvesting for Robots with Adaptive Morphology.” Soft Robotics 10.2, April 13, 2023: 365–79. https://doi.org/10.1089/soro.2021.0138.
Rudy Ramos brings 35+ years of expertise in advanced electromechanical systems, robotics, pneumatics, vacuum systems, high voltage, semiconductor manufacturing, military hardware, and project management. Rudy has authored technical articles appearing in engineering websites and holds a BS in Technical Management and an MBA with a concentration in Project Management. Prior to Mouser, Rudy worked for National Semiconductor and Texas Instruments..