An international team of researchers led by KAUST recently developed a technology called “wireless large area electronics”. This could make the Internet of Things more economical and ecological.
The Internet of Things or IoT is a term for equipment that is connected to the Internet and used in everyday life. These new technologies make it easier for us data transfer between several smart objects. Examples include remote-controlled home security systems, self-driving cars equipped with sensors that detect obstacles on the road, temperature-controlled factory equipment, and more.
To develop this new process, engineers designed thin-film devices based on alternative semiconductor materials. These include printable organic compounds, nanocarbon allotropes and metal oxides.
An alternative to battery technology
More and more companies are using the Internet of Things to improve their performance. We also know that this gigantic network expected to have trillions of units within the next decade, which would increase the number of sensor nodes installed on these platforms.
Currently, batteries are used to power the sensor nodes, which is very expensive and polluting. In addition, the world production of lithium would be insufficient in light of the growing demand for energy given the increase in the number of sensors.
The researchers propose through this research of obtain energy from the environment using energy sensors. For this you can use photovoltaic cells andradio frequency sensors. Electronics for large areas can also play a key role in the utilization of these energy sources.
The energy sensors will soon be operational
The team analyzed the viability and potential of large electronic technologies to manufacture wireless IoT sensors. They made devices and circuits easier to print on flexible substrates with large surface areas. These can be low temperature products and on biodegradable substrates such as paper, making them more environmentally friendly than their silicon-based counterparts.
Over the years, researchers have succeeded in developing a whole range of radio frequency electronic componentsincluding semiconductor devices based on metal oxide and organic polymer Schottky diodes.
The KAUST team has contributed to the improvement of methods for manufacturing radio frequency diodes that enable draw power from the 5G/6G frequency range. Currently, they are looking for a way tointegrate these devices with antennas and sensors to highlight their true potential.
“These technologies are the building blocks for building a more sustainable way of powering billions of sensor nodes in the near future. »
Mr. Anthopoulos