Transforming Microwave into Electricity

A team of scientists from Duke University, United States, managed to convert microwave signals into an electric current. In the experiments, they generate the energy is able to charge a cell phone battery.

This five-cell metamaterial array developed by Duke engineers converts stray microwave energy, as from a WiFi hub, into more than 7 volts of electricity with an efficiency of 36.8 percent—comparable to a solar cell. (Picture from: http://www.voanews.com/)

The research was conducted by the engineering faculty students, Allen Hawkes in collaboration with graduate student, Alexander Katko and led by an electrical and computer engineering professor, Steven Cummer. Through their experiments, scientists capture various forms of microwave energy using a series of glass fiber and copper cable conductors are mounted on a circuit board.

The wireless device working similiar with the principle of modern solar panels then convert microwave energy into 7.3 volts of electrical voltage. For comparison, the universal serial bus (USB) chargers for small electronic devices only provide about 5 volts.

Duke engineering students Alexander Katko (left) and Allen Hawkes show a waveguide containing a single power-harvesting metamaterial cell. (Picture from: http://inhabitat.com/)

"We are trying to achieve the highest energy efficiency can be achieved. With this design, we were able to increase the energy conversion dramatically to 36.8 percent which is comparable to what was achieved in solar cells," said Hawkes as quoted from the Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering official website, on Wednesday, November 13, 2013.

Researchers who compared the output of microwave energy with solar cells, believes this new discovery may help people who live in remote areas. Especially those who do not have access to or is connected to a conventional electrical grid.

"By gathering the satellite signals, sound, wifi and the energy of cellular towers in the future, everything is possible," said Katko. The full report of these findings will be published next month in the Applied Physics Letters journal. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INHABITAT | VOANEWS]
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