A flexible implantable electrode array is disclosed, comprising: a shank formed from a flexible polymer material. In an example embodiment, the shank comprises: a waveguide; and a number of chipsets disposed in the shank along the length of the shank, wherein each chipset is configured to measure neural activity in tissue surrounding the shank near the respective chipset, and to communicate signals representative of the measured neural activity via the waveguide. A method for powering and receiving neuronal information from a flexible implantable electrode array comprises: wirelessly communicating power and commands from a backplane to a plurality of chipsets disposed along the length of a shank via a waveguide disposed within the shank; monitoring neural activity proximate each chipset and sending a signal representative of said neural activity from the corresponding chipset transceiver to the backplane via the waveguide.

A kinetic energy harvesting device implementing a half-wave mechanical motion rectification (HMMR) mechanism is described. The energy harvesting device may include an energy harvesting railroad tie, where the tie includes a tie housing configured to be coupled to at least one rail. The tie housing includes at least one spring and at least one energy harvester. The at least one energy harvester includes a generator having an output shaft, a gearhead, a ball screw or other motion transmission, and a one-way clutch. Under a force of a passing wheel on the at least one rail, the at least one energy harvester is compressed, which causes a rotation of the ball screw or other motion transmission, a rotation of the output shaft, and a transmission of torque to a shaft of the gearhead, driving the generator in a unidirectional rotation to generate electrical power via the one-way clutch.

A compact surveillance system that includes: a power source configured to provide power to the system; a power input coupled to the power source 9 and configured to provide power to the system; one or more sensors configured to measure a measurand; a Loosely Coupled Transformer (LCT) transducer coupled to the one or more sensors and the power source, the LCT configured to receive an external signal and convert the external signal to an electrical signal; a processor in electrical or magnetic communication with the one or more sensors, the processor configured to process the electrical signal, generate information relative to one or more of progress against predictive behaviour of selected from one or more of: corrosion; fatigue; temperature; flow and environment; with the wireless transfer system transferring information to a remote Loosely Coupled Transformer LCT transducer and converts sensor data input to information using modelling; an information storage device configured to store the information or data input, the information including processed data, pre-processed data and predictive models, with a resultant output of models is stored; and where the LCT transducer is configured to transfer the information, the information being generated based on a measurand to reduce a transfer energy in the system.

A smart ring is configured harvest mechanical energy using piezoelectricity. The smart ring includes a ring-shaped housing, a power source disposed within the ring-shaped housing, and a charging circuit. The charging circuit includes a piezoelectric harvesting element, and is configured to charge the power source when user motion causes a mechanical deformation in the piezoelectric harvesting element. The smart ring further includes a component, disposed within the ring-shaped housing and configured to draw energy from the power source, and further configured to perform at least one of: i) sense a physical phenomenon external to the ring-shaped housing, ii) send communication signals to a communication device external to the ring-shaped housing, or iii) implement a user interface.

An interface electronic circuit between an energy harvesting stage is provided with an inductor and a charging stage, the interface electronic circuit having a regulation circuit capable of servo-controlling an average input impedance value of the interface electronic circuit to a predetermined optimum impedance value.

A power harvesting device is provided that may supply low voltage power to operate devices in remote locations. The power harvesting device may be connected to a medium to high voltage power line. First and second capacitors divide the voltage to a lower voltage sufficient to power a device, such as a monitoring device. The power harvesting device and monitoring device may be connected to an electric tower with the power harvesting device being connected to a power line supported by the tower.

Provided is a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) apparatus for an energy harvesting system and an MPPT control method. A count value of the time for an output voltage of a direct current (DC)-DC converter to reach a high reference voltage is used to change and output a control parameter of the DC-DC converter for maximum power.

A smart ring is configured harvest mechanical energy using piezoelectricity. The smart ring includes a ring-shaped housing, a power source disposed within the ring-shaped housing, and a charging circuit. The charging circuit includes a piezoelectric harvesting element, and is configured to charge the power source when user motion causes a mechanical deformation in the piezoelectric harvesting element. The smart ring further includes a component, disposed within the ring-shaped housing and configured to draw energy from the power source, and further configured to perform at least one of: i) sense a physical phenomenon external to the ring-shaped housing, ii) send communication signals to a communication device external to the ring-shaped housing, or iii) implement a user interface.

A system and method for wireless transmission of electricity through the air utilizes Earth's natural magnetosphere or an induced magnetosphere to produce electrons which may be systematically converted to almost weightless preparticles called muons that are transmittable from a tower with a low frequency radio signal.

A method includes receiving a wireless communication signal indicating that a receiver is within a wireless-power-transmission range of a transmitter. In response to the receiving, the method further includes transmitting a plurality of radio frequency (RF) test signals using at least two test phases for a respective antenna. The method further includes receiving information identifying a first amount of power delivered to the receiver by a first RF test signal transmitted at a first of the at least two test phases, receiving information identifying a second amount of power delivered to the receiver by a second RF test signal transmitted at a second of the at least two test phases, and determining, based on the first and second amounts of power, an optimal phase for the respective antenna.