Koichiro Ishibashi

Practical applications of RFEH technology by combination of SSFET rectenna and piezoelectric transformer

Research Director

Koichiro Ishibashi

Collaborator

Jiro Ida	Kanazawa Institute of Technology Electrical and Electronics Engineering Professor
Takahiko Yanagitani	Waseda University School of Advanced Science and Engineering Professor
Hiroshi Hirayama	Nagoya Institute of Technology Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor

Outliner

The aim of this research is to develop a high frequency selection WuR that combines RFEH technology and piezoelectric transformer technology, and to realize Sub uW operation systems activated with the Wake Up signal. These enable the application system to operate with an average power of about 1uW generated by RFEH. In addition, integration of piezoelectric elements, rectifying devices, and antennas on a Si substrate or PCB board will significantly reduce the cost, so that their practical use will be promoted.

Isaku Kanno

Development of high-efficient lead-free piezoelecctric thin-film energy harvesting system

Research Director

Isaku Kanno

Collaborator

Kazusuke Maenaka	Hyogo Prefecture University Engineering Professor
Takeshi Yoshimura	Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Engineering Associate Professor
Tomoaki Yamada	Nagoya University Graduate School of Engineering Professor

Outliner

The purpose of this project is to realize flexible lead-free piezoelectric thin-film energy harvesters which can be used under large acceleration or high impulsive force. By using the lead-free piezoelectric thin films and energy harvesting devices of this research, we will develop autonomous power sources with the combination of all-solid thin-film secondary batteries. This development enables the energy harvesters to be used in a variety of application areas where the stable vibration does not exist. The goals of this project are as follows.
- Wireless communication by flexible and high-G resistant piezoelectric thin-film energy harvesters.
- Micro-power generation system combined with piezoelectric thin-film energy harvesters and all-solid thin-film Li-ion batteries.

Junichiro Shiomi

Sensing system with thermoelectric energy harvestors based on phonon engineering

Research Director

Junichiro Shiomi

Collaborator

Masahiro Goto	National Institute for Materials Science International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics
Eiji Iwase	Waseda University Department of Applied Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering Professor
Shinya Kato	Nagoya Institute of technology Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering Assitant Professor

Outliner

For the two kinds of materials we have been developmenting; silicon (Si) nanocomposite sintered materials and Si-based nanostructure-controlled thin films, through demonstration and practice of the thermoelectric strain engineering technique, we enhance the figure-of-merit at around room temperature, scale up to bulk size, and lower the cost of materials/processes. Then we integrate the materials to two kinds of cost-effective flexible thermoelectric devices; stretchable device driven by out-of-plane temperature difference and origami-type device dreiven by in-plane temperature difference, respectively. With this, we aim to expand the use of thermoelectric conversion technology by reducing costs and adding value.

Chul-Ho Lee

Development of thermoelectric module using materials of low thermal conductivity

Research Director

Chul-Ho Lee

Collaborator

Yoshikazu Mizuguchi	Tokyo Metropolitan University Graduate School of Science Associate Professor
Koichiro Suekuni	Kyushu University Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences Associate Professor
Kazuhiko Kuroki	Osaka University Department of Physics Professor
Ken Kurosaki	Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science Professor

Outliner

We will develop high performance thermoelectric modules, which convert heat presented in the natural environment into electricity with high efficiency. For the purpose, we will further improve thermoelectric properties of materials developed in the first stage and develop the modularization technology. To date, modules based on Bi-Te-Sb system are already in practical use around room temperature. Although a demand for energy harvesting is recently rapidly growing, Bi-Te-Sb modules are not widely used due to high cost. Thus, we will develop high performance and low cost thermoelectric modules using substitute materials for Bi-Te-Sb.