Technology


Sound-powered sensors contribute to sustainability


Engineers at ETH Zurich, the research university in Switzerland, have developed a sensor that uses the energy of sound waves to control electronic devices. Their passive sound- sensitive sensors


can be used in many applications, avoiding the need for batteries and the waste problem they bring, which will help our sustainability goals. An EU study identifies that in 2025 alone some 78 million batteries will end up in landfill each day. “The sensor works purely mechanically


and doesn’t require an external energy source. It simply utilises the vibrational energy contained in sound waves,” said Johan Robertsson, ETH professor. The sensor acquires its special properties


from specific structuring of the silicone metamaterial it is made of. It comprises dozens of identical or similarly-structured plates, connected via tiny bars which act like springs that determine whether or not a particular sound source triggers the sensor. Whenever a certain word is spoken or a particular sound generated, the emitted sound waves – and only those – cause the sensor to vibrate. This energy is sufficient to generate a tiny electrical pulse that switches on the electronic device.


Zero-power sensor prototype developed by ETH Zurich “Our sensor consists purely of silicone


and contains neither toxic heavy metals nor rare earths like conventional electronic sensors do,” said Marc Serra- Garcia, study co-lead. Uses for this sensor include monitoring


of earthquakes, buildings, bridges and oil wells, as well as in medical devices, like cochlear implants. “These prostheses for the deaf require a


permanent power supply from batteries for signal processing. This battery is located behind the ear, where there is not much room. That means the wearers must replace the batteries every twelve hours,” said Serra- Garcia. “There’s a great deal of interest in zero-


energy sensors in industry, too,” he added. The ETH team has already patented the sensor prototype.


Ground-breaking battery-health algorithm developed by partners in the UK


Eatron Technologies and WMG, the academic department at the University of Warwick, have jointly developed a new approach to accurately estimate the remaining useful life of batteries, helping to unlock additional performance, greater range and increased safety levels in EVs. Developed with funding from the Faraday


Institution, the collaborative project, known as “VIPER – Validated & Integrated Platform for Battery Remaining Useful Life”, combines WMG’s advanced electrochemical models with Eatron’s cloud battery management and integration expertise, to deliver Remaining


08 March 2024 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


Useful Life (RUL) estimates that are over 90% accurate. Te condition and performance of a battery


changes as its cells age over time. If this natural degradation is not closely monitored it can lead to cell failures with serious consequences. Traditional RUL estimates oſten rely on simple voltage-based analytics that may miss complex failure conditions, potentially risking user safety, whilst others that err on the side of caution may result in perfectly healthy battery packs being unnecessarily rendered unusable. By accurately predicting the battery’s RUL, it becomes possible to extract maximum


performance and longevity from it, without compromising its safety. Te solution developed by the


two partners can be embedded in an automotive-grade battery management system or used with cloud-based platforms, a concept that is particularly appealing for fleet applications. In addition, when an automotive battery is eventually redeployed into its second life, it can be accompanied by an accurate picture of its health in the form of a ‘battery passport’ that removes the need for expensive testing and extends its operating life.


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