AA Size Power Cell for Wireless Applications Using Micro-Fabricated Resonators

This paper presents the preliminary design and experimental results of a standard AA size vibration-induced micro power generator. The energy transduction unit of this micro power generator is a spring mass system that uses MEMS fabricated copper springs to convert mechanical energy into electrical power by Faraday's Law of Induction. We have shown that this AA size power cell is capable of producing ~2.5V DC and ~60µW with a 100kΩ loading when charged for about one and a half minutes. Potential applications for this micro power generator to serve as a power supply for a wireless temperature sensing system was proved to be possible with input frequencies at about 79Hz with an amplitude of approximately 250microns.