Open Internet by MindsNet

Achieve Electromagnetic Field Energy Harvesting at Scale

Develop large-scale systems to harvest electrical energy from ambient electromagnetic fields including radio waves, cellular signals, Wi-Fi, and other wireless communications. The modern world is filled with electromagnetic radiation from countless wireless devices, radio stations, and communication systems, representing a vast untapped energy source. Current energy harvesting from electromagnetic fields is limited to very small-scale applications powering simple sensors. Scaling up requires developing efficient rectifying antennas (rectennas) that work across multiple frequency bands, creating large collection arrays that don't interfere with communication systems, and managing the low power density of ambient electromagnetic fields. Success would provide a new renewable energy source available in urban areas, reduce the electromagnetic pollution in cities by converting it to useful energy, and create power systems that become more effective as wireless technology adoption increases.

Engineering, Core Engineering, Electrical Engineering