Market Opportunities for MEMS Energy Harvesting Devices - Bharatbook.com

MEMS Energy Harvesting Devices Technologies andscale. Hot market segments in 2007 and 2008 such as
Markets Report ( ) gives Market driver analysis fortire pressure monitoring systems where batteries are
challenges that go beyond energy density!currently the dominant solution have driven enormous
OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORTefforts but the market dynamics have not made it
This report focuses on MEMS energy harvestingpossible to accept a premium price for alternative
devices from both technology and market points ofsolutions.
view.We have focused our efforts in this report into a fine
Special attention has been given to the market driversanalysis of the market drivers for using MEMS energy
for adopting MEMS energy harvesting devices inharvesting devices, in comparison to micro batteries,
different market segments, factoring the progress ofmicro fuel cells, or even solar cells. Different application
competing technologies and cost constraints.fields from medical to home automation, industrial
It appears that the numerous opportunities for energyprocess control, machine monitoring or transportations
harvesting devices must be analyzed carefully, takinghave been analyzed in this report.
into account all aspects of the final application fromThe challenges facing this technology were examined
power consumption profiles to lifetime and sizein a broad view, from a technology but also from a
constraints. Applications screened cover automotive,whole product point of view. There are needs for
medical, industrial machine monitoring and processbetter power density but also for less power
control, home automation and defense.consuming electronics and wireless communications!
The main developments in MEMS energy harvestingMARKET METRICS
devices are described and compared to fuel cells andMarket acceptance of MEMS energy harvesting
micro-batteries. The report also describes thedevices is a function of several parameters that are
challenges facing the current players and the currentstudied in the report.
market trends and business models.These parameters include, but are not limited to: size,
MAIN CHALLENGEScost, amount of power generated versus amount of
Within an environmentally conscious world, MEMSpower needed by the system and projected lifetime
Energy harvesting devices promise in principle afor the energy harvesting device compared to the
cleaner and almost perpetual solution to powering smallsystem parts lifetime.
systems avoiding the use and waste of pollutingA major factor to be taken into account is whether
batteries.there is enough power harvested for a particular
Ever optimistic market projections are predicting billionsapplication from a particular environment, and whether
of dollars in revenue for ubiquitous sensor networks inthe scavenged power needs to be stored. As
the next five to ten years and derive from thesepiezoelectric MEMS energy harvesting devices can
numbers large energy harvesting sales and volumes.currently power sensor nodes requiring 60 uW
And indeed, MEMS energy harvesting devices haveaccording to the latest developments, a companion
been a hot topic in MEMS R&D for some yearsenergy storage device would be necessary for most
with spectacular developments driven by DARPAapplications.
programs within the Hi-MEMS cyborg insects.Commercial success will come from a full
The reality is that beyond the technological buzz,understanding of all aspects of the system to be
commercial applications are slowly starting to get topowered and of the data receiver nodes.
market for industrial applications and home automationChallenges include ultra low power electronics and
appliances. This is driving the first volumes for energywireless data transmissions rates and standards.
harvesting applications, but not necessarily at the micro