Tuesday, July 13, 2010

MicroGen signs MOU with Cornell's Energy Materials Center/NYSTAR

ITHACA, USA: MicroGen Systems, LLC and Cornell University's Energy Materials Center (emc2) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide financial and development assistance to MicroGen to help develop MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) based Piezoelectric Vibrational Energy Harvester (PZ-EH) technology.

These micro-generator/recharger products, when integrated with EH-boards (on the market from several sources today) form "self-charging batteries" that utilize ambient vibration (e.g. vibrating industrial equipment) as their energy source.

The goal is to provide autonomous power for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). WSNs are built from a distribution of tens to hundreds of thousands of wireless sensor nodes in a communication network. This enables the environment and structures to truly have an "ambient intelligence".

Applications include Smart Energy/Smart Grid (e.g. energy usage monitoring of industrial equipment, lighting control, and large computer data-centers HVAC, just to name a few), Smart Infrastructure (e.g. monitoring the structural integrity of bridges, dams and other structures), Smart Transportation (e.g. monitoring aerospace and train vibration levels, automobile tire- pressure-monitoring-systems (TPMS) and airbag sensors), and other analogous military and Homeland Security applications (e.g. Smart Asset Tracking).

In 2009, MicroGen successfully demonstrated three separate builds of the same PZ-EH design each with increased voltage and power generation, and improved manufacturing yield. MicroGen's next generation design is being fabricated at the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility.

These new PZ-EH devices will produce 10-50X power levels on the order of 25-100 μWatts/cm2. Absolute power levels of 100 μWatts are sufficient to enable wireless radios with a transmit/receive cycle of every 20-30 seconds (typical duty-cycles are on the order of minutes) when integrating with a sensor, device, electronics, power storage and a wireless radio.

MicroGen's initial BOLT family of micro-generator products targets vibrational frequencies of 60/50 Hz and 120/100 Hz for the industrial sectors of the United States and European Union (EU), respectively. MicroGen's products meet the EU's Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), because no lead-based materials are used in the electronics or in the PZ-EH micro-generator. BOLT micro-generators are eagerly sought by a number of companies. MicroGen will announce its Alpha-level product in the fall of 2010.

This MOU with Cornell establishes the framework for MicroGen systems to receive critical financial support from the NYSTAR-designated Center for Future Energy Systems for the project with the CNF. Dr. Paul Mutolo, the Director of External Partnerships for emc, states, "helping green energy start-up companies is directly in line with the goals of CFES and emc2."

He adds: “Companies such as MicroGen will help our local community build and retain high-value jobs, and their technology will help us transition to a smarter, more efficient energy system. MicroGen is looking forward to strong growth, we are delighted to have them as one of our collaborating companies."

Edward Reinfurt, executive director of NYSTAR stated: “NYSTAR is pleased to have a part in this special partnership between MicroGen Systems LLC and the EMC2. The EMC2 is one of five designated Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) in New York State. NYS provided funding for the EFRC’s through NYSTAR’s matching grant program. The story of MicroGen Systems includes many collaborations including work with the NYSTAR supported Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility and receiving financial support from the Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES) a NYSTAR designed Center for Advanced Technology (CAT).

“The collaborative work between MicroGen Systems, LLC and these NYSTAR research facilities is the kind of co-operative work that was recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on Diversifying the NYS Economy through Industry-Higher Education Partnerships. This is a critical component to the future of the innovation economy in New York State.”

David Hessler, MicroGen's acting-CEO commented on the market opportunities. He said, "The mesh and non-mesh industrial, and aerospace/military WSN markets are growing quickly, $250 million in and $1.8 billion in 2015 according to IDTechEx.”

Robert Andosca, founder, president and CTO added: "Overcoming the battery bottleneck is key. Providing a green, virtually infinite power source to replace traditional energy sources will significantly expand applications for WSNs and other technologies. Our micro-generator technology will enable the WSN industry to grow significantly."

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.