Technology Uses
Micro-Windmills to Recharge Cell Phones
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One of Rao's micro-windmills is placed here on a
penny. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of
Texas at Arlington)
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Editor's Note: driven by NIMBY anti-wind technology passion, Charlestown enacted Ordinance #344 in November 2011 effectively banning any device that converts wind into energy. Small wind generators (under 5 KW) can be allowed, but only by Special Use Permit under terms and conditions that are so daunting (click here for details) that not one single turbine has been permitted in Charlestown in the more than two years since Ordinance 344 was enacted. So sorry, Charlestown folks, you can't have this.
A
UT Arlington research associate and electrical engineering professor have
designed a micro-windmill that generates wind energy and may become an
innovative solution to cell phone batteries constantly in need of recharging
and home energy generation where large windmills are not preferred.
Smitha
Rao and J.-C. Chiao designed and built the device that is about 1.8 mm at its
widest point. A single grain of rice could hold about 10 of these tiny
windmills. Hundreds of the windmills could be embedded in a sleeve for a cell
phone. Wind, created by waving the cell phone in air or holding it up to an
open window on a windy day, would generate the electricity that could be
collected by the cell phone's battery.
"The
company was quite surprised with the micro-windmill idea when we showed the
demo video of working devices," Rao said. "It was something
completely out of the blue for them and their investors."
Rao's
designs blend origami concepts into conventional wafer-scale semiconductor
device layouts so complex 3-D moveable mechanical structures can be
self-assembled from two-dimensional metal pieces utilizing planar multilayer
electroplating techniques that have been optimized by WinMEMS Technologies Co.,
the Taiwanese fabrication foundry that took an initial interest in Rao's work.
"The
micro-windmills work well because the metal alloy is flexible and Smitha's
design follows minimalism for functionality." Chiao said.
WinMEMS
became interested in the micro-electro mechanical system research and started a
relationship with UT Arlington. Company representatives visited with the UT
Arlington team several times in 2013 to discuss collaboration.
An
agreement has been established for UT Arlington to hold the intellectual
properties while WinMEMS explores the commercialization opportunities. UT
Arlington has applied for a provisional patent.
Currently,
WinMEMS has been showcasing UT Arlington's works on its website and in public
presentations, which include the micro-windmills, gears, inductors, pop-up
switches and grippers. All of those parts are as tiny as a fraction of the
diameter of a human hair.
These
inventions are essential to build micro-robots that can be used as surgical
tools, sensing machines to explore disaster zones or manufacturing tools to
assemble micro-machines.
"It's
very gratifying to first be noticed by an international company and second to
work on something like this where you can see immediately how it might be
used," said Rao, who earned her Ph.D in 2009 at UT Arlington.
"However, I think we've only scratched the surface on how these
micro-windmills might be used."
The
micro windmills were tested successfully in September 2013 in Chiao's lab. The
windmills operate under strong artificial winds without any fracture in the
material because of the durable nickel alloy and smart aerodynamic design.
"The
problem most MEMS designers have is that materials are too brittle," Rao
said. "With the nickel alloy, we don't have that same issue. They're very,
very durable."
The
micro-windmills can be made in an array using the batch processes. The
fabrication cost of making one device is the same as making hundreds or
thousands on a single wafer, which enables for mass production of very
inexpensive systems.
"Imagine
that they can be cheaply made on the surfaces of portable electronics,"
Chiao said, "so you can place them on a sleeve for your smart phone. When
the phone is out of battery power, all you need to do is to put on the sleeve,
wave the phone in the air for a few minutes and you can use the phone
again."
Chiao
said because of the small sizes, flat panels with thousand of windmills could
be made and mounted on the walls of houses or building to harvest energy for
lighting, security or environmental sensing and wireless communication.
He
added that it has been fulfilling to see his former student succeed and help
move innovation toward the marketplace.
"To
see a company recognize that and seek you out for your expertise speaks volumes
about what UT Arlington means to the world," he said proudly.
Story Source:
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University of Texas at Arlington (2014, January 15). Technology
uses micro-windmills to recharge cell phones. Science Daily. Retrieved January
16, 2014, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140115074336.htm