Blog
July 17, 2024
In our technological world, the terms power and energy are often confused as synonymous terms. Yet, understanding the distinction is crucial, particularly when considering innovative and emerging energy harvesting generators (EHGs) and their ability to replace traditional batteries. Let us unravel these concepts and explore how Gemns™️ technology is poised to transform how we power our devices.
First, we need to get our definitions straight. Power and energy are related but not the same thing.
Power is about how fast you are consuming (generating) energy, while energy is the actual elemental unit of work done. The below equation shows how they are related:
Example: If 1 watt of power is applied to a load for 3 seconds then the power is turned off you have: 1W x 3sec = 3 Joules of energy.
One of the challenges in the commercial integrated circuit (IC) industry is that design goals are predominantly focused on low-power designs, not low-energy designs. This focus comes from having a battery-centric power source where devices always remain powered, utilizing a low-power sleep mode when the device is not in use. In this model, designers strive for the lowest possible continuous power operation.
The opportunity that IC designers are missing is a paradigm shift in thinking and design goals from the notion of super-low power designs to super-low energy designs – the two are not the same. To support device operation with fixed energy and no continuous power available, designers must look at areas currently overlooked in low-power design, such as start-up energy. Start-up energy, or the energy required to start a chip up the first time, is often grossly overlooked in low-power design initiatives.
The next evolution in IC designs must shift from being power-centric to energy-centric. This means focusing on minimizing start-up energy, minimizing firmware initialization code, and improving the efficiency of the crystal oscillator start-up for processors. An example is the Silicon Labs’ new xG22E chip featuring sleep mode efficiency and 8-millisecond wake-up.
Gemns™️ patented energy harvesting technology leverages Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction, which generates electrical energy by rapidly changing a magnetic field within a copper coil. Using permanent magnets for field shaping and concentration, Gemnsä has patented technologies that significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of magnetic induction.
Here is how it works: A single kinetic motion, such as pressing a button or flipping a switch, causes rapid change of a magnetic field induced in a copper coil, generating electrical energy. This energy is then harvested by an energy harvesting circuit, processed, and stored in capacitors. The stored energy is regulated to power microprocessors, sensors, and transmitters, enabling long-range, reliable transmissions without batteries or wired power. Unlike batteries that constantly need to be replaced, this technology never needs servicing, creating a truly reliable, on-demand, forever energy source.
Gemns™️ EHGs are a game-changer in the realm of energy harvesting. Here is why:
With the advent of advanced energy harvesting technology, the reliance on batteries for powering small devices could soon be a thing of the past. Imagine a world where your wireless sensors, remote controls, and other devices no longer need regular battery replacements. Instead, they harvest energy from a simple motion that self-powers the device.
As we move towards a future where energy efficiency and sustainability are paramount, understanding the nuances between power and energy becomes more critical. Gemns™️ innovative EHGs lead the charge, demonstrating that we can harness energy efficiently and move towards a battery-free world. The next time you flip a switch, push a button, open a door, twist a handle, or see a vibrating or rotating machine, remember that anything in motion represents an opportunity to change how we power the world.