3rd Energy Harvesting Research Theme Workshop2 December 2011 - University of Southampton

The scope of this workshop covers the application of MEMS/NEMS technology to the topic of energy harvesting and in particular explores the scaling effects when reducing these devices in size. MEMS/NEMS technology is an attractive approach for the mass production of both kinetic and thermal energy harvesters which could be used to power external systems or potentially realise self-powered microelectronics. However, scaling effects will influence the fundamental energy available from such devices, the efficiency with which it can be harvested and the practical constraints of the micro/nano fabrication processes must also be considered. The workshop will bring together expert opinion from both academia and industry so as to explore the boundaries of micro and nano scale energy harvesting and the opportunities that may arise at the nano scale (e.g. quantum effects). The key findings will form the basis of a publicly available roadmap that will illustrate technology developments and underpinning science required to realise practical MEMS/NEMS energy harvesters over the next decade.

Agenda

9.30	Registration & coffee
10.00	Introduction – objectives and process Professor Steve Beeby, University of Southampton
10.10	Key Note Talk – Fundamental energy calculations, physical transduction principles and the effect of scaling and review of existing state of the art Professor Eric Yeatman, Imperial College London
10.40	Power conditioning electronics and energy storage for MEMS/NEMS energy harvesters. Speaker TBC
11.00	Coffee break
11.20	Early applications (e.g. SolarBotanic Ltd) Speaker TBC
11.40	Facilitated workshop – Discussion of the technology advances needed to realise the vision (break into groups followed by report back)
12.40	Lunch and tour of the cleanroom
13.40	Key Note Talk - State of the art in micro and nano fabrication processes Professor Rob Dorey, Cranfield University
14.00	Metrology at the micro and nano scale Professor Markys Cain, NPL
14.20	Facilitated workshop – Discussion of the underpinning science and engineering advances needed to realise the vision (break into groups followed by report back)
15.50	Wrap up and next steps
16.00	Close