Linear Technology is going into the energy scavenging business with a new IC expected to be released before the end of the year.
“We will market our first energy-harvesting device powered by a TEG (thermo-electric generator) later this year,” said Lothar Maier, CEO of Linear Technology.
The energy will be harvested from wasted heat from industrial processes, solar panels, internal combustion engines, motion, vibration and RF power.
Maier added: “Behind the first device will be a whole family of products which will draw energy from all these sources and maybe others as well,” said Maier.
The project is the result of a one and a half year effort by the company from first discussions to having a product ready to sell.
Maier sees the applications as: “The proliferation of smart wireless sensor networks; to monitor and optimize industrial processes; enabling remote field installations, and in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) applications in buildings.”
Energy harvesting can replace the batteries used in such applications or can recharge those batteries.
Energy harvesting is seen as a critical technology to enable ad hoc wireless networks in remote areas, where access is difficult and where replacing batteries would be difficult and expensive.
It is also seen as being useful in wearable electronics for instance keeping a mobile phone, laptop computer or other portable electronic device topped up.
See: LED driver powers 20A constant current, says Linear Technlogy