Beatrice Lang
The concept of harvesting electricity from the aether, or thin air, has been explored by several companies and inventors, including Nikola Tesla, one of the first true electrical engineers. While the idea may seem far-fetched, it is possible to harness energy from the environment in numerous ways. For example, light can be converted to DC current using solar panels, and sound waves can be transformed into electrical signals through a microphone. Additionally, thermal harvesters can generate power by exploiting the temperature differential between hot and cold plates, as demonstrated by EnOcean at a trade show in Munich, Germany. EnOcean has also developed an electrodynamic harvester that converts linear motion into power through a coil and magnet system. While these technologies show promise, challenges remain in terms of efficiency and marketability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Harvesting energy from the ether |
| Technology | Energy harvesters, crystal energy receivers |
| Application | Power lightweight systems, charge batteries, run equipment, power sensors, RFID devices, small electronics |
| Companies | EnOcean, Ad Hoc Electronics |
| Products | ECO 100 module, PTM 200, switches for lighting and device control |
| Enabling Technology | Electrodynamic (coil and magnet), thermal harvesters (Seebeck Effect) |
| Materials | Coil, crystal, resistor, antenna, case, connections |
| Cost | ECO 100 module: N/A; PTM 200: $10-20; Switch: $50; Switch + Receiver Module: $120 |
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What You'll Learn
Using a crystal energy receiver
Crystal energy receivers are a viable method of harvesting energy from the aether due to the few, easy-to-obtain materials required for their construction. The simplest crystal receiver design can be built with just three parts: a coil, a crystal, and a resistor.
To construct a crystal energy receiver, you will need to follow these steps:
- First, polarize the input amplitude of the crystal receiver to optimize the output signal.
- Rectify and filter the signal to ensure a cleaner and more reliable output.
- Add an antenna, case, and connections to the crystal receiver.
- Connect two crystal diodes, one facing each direction, to the leads from two capacitors in series. This forms a bridge rectifier, which converts alternating current to direct current.
- Connect the bridge rectifier to the circuit diagram, charging the electrolytic capacitors and normalizing the amplitude to create a constant and usable current.
- Test and analyze the circuit using a digital voltmeter and oscilloscope.
- Connect a voltmeter to the output and observe a small voltage climbing in the 10-100mV range.
- If the voltage is not climbing, check the connections and ensure the circuit is not isolated from the environment by taking it outside to a clear area.
It is important to note that while crystal energy receivers can harvest energy from the aether, the amount of power generated may be relatively small. However, this energy can still be used to power devices such as crystal radios or microcircuits.
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Harvesting energy from the ionosphere
Nikola Tesla, one of the first true electrical engineers, was interested in harvesting energy from the ionosphere. He was the first to measure the voltage of the ionosphere, and his Wardenclyffe Tower was potentially a power generator.
Tesla patented a system to transmit power wirelessly, using either the photoelectric effect via "ultra-violet light and Roentgen rays [X-rays]" to generate a positive charge by ejecting electrons, or cathodic rays to capture electrons and generate a negative charge. However, to harvest naturally occurring electrical fields, Tesla claimed it would take an antenna (or an array of them) on a truly grand scale.
It is possible to harvest electrical energy from the air, but it is difficult to do so efficiently and make it a marketable product. The "air" is full of electric fields, but the problem is that your antenna does not capture any serious amounts of energy from the fields: once you load the detected voltage, it drops to almost nothing.
A company called EnOcean has developed a product called the ECO 100 module, which is an "electrodynamic" harvester. The module is based on a coil and a magnet that together convert linear motion into power. For example, the action of a person pushing a switch generates a burst of energy, because the actuator changes the flux through the coil. EnOcean has also developed a thermal harvester that takes advantage of the Seebeck Effect—the ability of a thermocouple to generate power based on the temperature differential between hot and cold plates.
Ion Harvesting Technology is another method for harvesting energy from the atmosphere. This technology uses specific forms of carbon to extract electricity from ions in the atmosphere. It can generate electricity day and night and may be able to produce electricity cheaper than solar PV, possibly up to 65 times cheaper.
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Using solar UV on metals
While it is possible to use solar UV on metals to generate electricity, it would produce an extraordinarily small current. This method was discovered by Nikola Tesla, one of the first true electrical engineers, and involves using the photoelectric effect to generate a positive charge by ejecting electrons.
A more recent technique, developed by Harry A. Atwater and his colleagues, involves using metal nanostructures to tune the plasmon resonances of metals to other wavelengths. Plasmons are coordinated waves or ripples of electrons that exist on the surfaces of metals at the point where the metal meets the air. By adding electrons to the atoms of metal nanostructures in a lab, the resonance frequency changes, and these resonantly excited metal surfaces can produce an electrostatic potential. This electrostatic potential is the first step in the creation of electricity.
Atwater envisions a solar cell using the plasmoelectric effect in tandem with photovoltaic cells to harness both visible and infrared light for electricity creation. This technique could be incorporated into new types of sensors that detect light based on the electrostatic potential.
Another method of generating electricity involves using a cell made of metal electrodes in a conducting solution. French physicist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic (PV) effect in 1839 when he noted that the cell produced more electricity when exposed to light. PV technology was then born in 1954 when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson developed the first solar cell capable of absorbing and converting enough of the sun's energy into power to run everyday electrical equipment.
Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into electricity and heat through the use of solar panels, which can be installed on residential rooftops or across large areas of land in solar farms.
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Generating power from temperature differentials
While it is not possible to harvest electricity from the aether, there are several methods and technologies that can generate power from temperature differentials.
One such technology is the thermoelectric generator (TEG), also known as a Seebeck generator. A TEG is a solid-state device that can convert heat into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect, a form of the thermoelectric effect. The Seebeck effect allows a thermocouple to generate power based on the temperature differential between hot and cold plates. TEGs have no moving parts, making them less bulky than traditional heat engines. However, they are typically more expensive and less efficient. TEGs can be designed for various applications, such as handheld devices that use body heat or cylindrical TEGs that capture heat from vehicle exhaust pipes.
Another example of harnessing energy from temperature differentials is the thermal resonator developed by MIT. This device can generate energy from ambient temperature changes, even in shaded areas. It is unaffected by short-term environmental changes, such as cloud cover or wind conditions, making it a reliable source of power. The thermal resonator can be placed anywhere convenient, including underneath a solar panel, where it can improve efficiency by drawing away waste heat.
Additionally, EnOcean, a company specializing in enabling technologies, has demonstrated a thermal harvester that utilizes the Seebeck effect. In one demonstration, a person placing a finger on a plate generated the temperature differential needed to activate the processor, which then transmitted a temperature reading to a receiver. EnOcean's thermal harvester showcases the potential for energy harvesting in home or building automation applications.
These technologies and devices showcase the potential for generating power from temperature differentials, providing alternative energy sources that can complement existing power generation methods.
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Using a coil and magnet to convert linear motion into power
The concept of harvesting energy from the ether involves seeking innovative solutions to power lightweight systems. One notable example is the EnOcean ECO 100 module, which serves as a lighting control switch. This technology is based on the interaction between a coil and a magnet to convert linear motion into electrical energy.
The fundamental principle behind this energy harvesting mechanism involves utilising a rare earth magnet and a coil that are strategically positioned to move linearly relative to each other. This relative motion can be bidirectional or back-and-forth. When the coil moves within the magnetic field of the magnet, it induces a current in the coil, thereby generating electrical power.
The EnOcean ECO 100 module leverages this concept in its switch design. When a person pushes the switch, it triggers the actuator to change the flux through the coil, resulting in a burst of energy. This demonstrates how mechanical energy, in the form of linear motion, can be converted into usable electrical power.
It's important to acknowledge that this technology isn't entirely new, as there have been previous attempts to harness linear mechanical energy. For instance, U.S. Patent No. 4,239,974 aimed to convert vehicular roadway traffic energy into electrical power using magnets and coils. However, this particular approach faced challenges due to complex mechanical linkages and inefficient energy conversion.
To address the limitations of previous attempts, the present invention, as described in the linear motion electric power generator patent, introduces a springless orientation. This springless design maintains a neutral position for the relative motion between the magnet and the coil. By eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, this invention simplifies the energy conversion process and potentially improves efficiency.
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Frequently asked questions
The Aether is a term used to describe the space from which energy can be harvested. This energy can be used to power lightweight systems and devices such as sensors, RFID devices, and small electronics.
There are several methods to harvest energy from the Aether. One way is to use a crystal energy receiver, which can be built with a coil, a crystal, and a resistor. Another method is to use thermal harvesters, which generate power based on the temperature differential between hot and cold plates. Additionally, electrodynamic harvesters can convert linear motion into power.
Harvesting energy from the Aether provides a renewable and sustainable source of energy. It also reduces the need for batteries or AC sources to power devices, which can be costly and inconvenient.
EnOcean has developed a thermal harvester that awakens a processor when a person places a finger on a plate, generating a temperature differential. They also demonstrated a switch that uses electrodynamic harvesting for lighting control and other applications.
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