AA battery-sized generator produces 100mW from hand shakes

07/29/2010

Brother (the printer-labeler-sewing machine company) has developed a kinetic energy–based electrical power generator that fits in the familiar format of a AA or AAA battery, and is targeting it for low-power devices like remotes that require about 100mW or less of power.

This photo shows the two AA-sized cases, one containing the generator and the other a capacitor. The company also has a version where both fit into one AA-sized case. “The average output of the AA-size generator is apparently 10 to 180mW (frequency: 4-8Hz) with two of the AA-sized prototypes the company has developed capable of producing a voltage of 3.2V or lower.”