Regenerative Sensing Project
What is the "Regenerative Sensing Project"?
The "Regenerative sensing project" aims at constructing circulatory systems that utilize the energy resources that can be extracted from the natural environment in sensing technology and date transfer.
The Concept and Development of Eco-Computing
In order to realize sustainable computing, new concepts and technologies in regard to energy resources are required. For example, the concept of Micro Energy Harvesting (MEH) refers to technologies that harvest small amounts of energy directly from the environment that surrounds us and converts that into electric power. The evolution of MEH technologies will aid in the realization of eco-computing.
Sunshine
Wind
The swaying of tree branches
The flow of water
Plant
Bacterial activity
Geothermal energy
By Bacteria
Collaborators : Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) , BIGLOBE Inc.
A New Type of Energy Produced by Bacteria.
Microbial fuel cells (MFC) utilize the electric power that is generated by microorganisms present in soil, wastewater, and other environments. This is a significant technology that can secure a permanent supply of power from almost any place that microbial activity exists. By employing a booster chip that independently augments the micro-electricity that is produced by these microorganisms, we can secure continuous power resources that support such edge computing as sensing and communication.
*1 An anode and a cathode is installed in order to collect the electrical energy that is generated by geo bacteria living both in the ground and in water
*2 Cathode : O2 + Proton(H+) + electron (e-) → H2O
*3 Anode : Organics + Microorganism → electron (e-) + proton(H+) + CO2
Regenerative Sensing System
*Power Booster & Management : AP4470 for sustainable power sources by Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM)
The Design and Structure of Microbial Fuel Cells
Starting in 2017, we began designing and developing batteries that deliver microbial power supply in the field, and have conducted repeated verification tests. Presently, we have succeeded in establishing a technology that is capable of demonstrating that function of boosting power generation in wetlands, rice paddies, wastelands, farmland, woodland and other environments that contain both organic matter and adequate moisture.
Field Testing
Employing Microbial Fuel Cells in Various Locales
Microbial fuel cell technology will greatly alleviate the problem of being unable to sense living conditions and transmit that information in places where no electric power has been available to-date. Some day we will even be able to use microbial fuel cells to turn on lights in a forest and support communication in times of an emergency. We are promoting the creation of an international network of these types of technologies.