Breakthrough Energy Cell Captures Vibration To Produce Electricity

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February 28, 2005 A renewable energy device that captures vibration to produce electricity looks set to replace or complement small conventional batteries for a range of every day applications and enable the reliable powering of new technologies. The Kinetic Energy Cell is a micro renewable energy source able to generate electricity from vibration or motion such as from cars, trucks and even people. This means that so long as there is access to movement or vibration the cell produces energy. Because the cell can replace standard and alkaline batteries in some applications, it is a non-polluting solution to small power requirements. Six billion dry cell batteries are produced annually by the world's largest manufacturer.

The Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies announced today that it will invest in the development of an advanced prototype.

The Australian invention is designed to work where intermittent or on and off power supply is required and vibration or motion exists, such as in a car, truck, or ship.

While the latest design unit is small-scale (the size of a 9 volt battery), plans to reduce its size and develop the Kinetic Energy Cell for wider market applications are underway.

The technology, developed by the Melbourne-based CRC for microTechnology, consists of only seven components and includes exciting innovation in coil construction. The technology can also be easily "tuned" to optimise operation in a wide range of vibration environments, opening up many potential future applications.

Damian Lismore, the Commercial Director of the CRC for microTechnology, said that with each new prototype, the Kinetic Energy Cell has decreased in size and its energy density increased.

"We are very excited about progressing the Kinetic Energy Cell for Australia and look forward to the commercial expertise that our investor partners bring" he said.

The new version of the Kinetic Energy Cell will be funded by the Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies (CEGT) in conjunction with venture capital investors, Information City Australia and Allen & Buckeridge, and MNT Innovations.

Funds will be used for commercialisation activities and to develop a next generation Kinetic Energy Cell with double the energy output of the latest prototypes and focused on targeted end-use markets.

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