A Deep Fusion of Power Electronics and Kinetic Energy Harvesters Toward Motion-powered IoT Systems

Kinetic Energy Harvesting (KEH) is an emerging solution that captures ambient vibration energy to power battery-free electronics, enabling maintenance-free and eco-friendly Internet of Things (IoT) applications. A critical component in KEH systems is the power conditioning circuit, which interfaces with the upstream electromechanical transducer and delivers regulated power to downstream embedded digital devices. This talk provides a comprehensive overview of the physical principles, historical developments, and the latest advancements in switched-mode power conditioning circuits for KEH devices, which encompass piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and triboelectric energy sources. The discussion will focus on electromechanical dynamic interactions, self-powered solutions, multiple synchronous switching techniques, and resonance tuning, all aimed at enhancing the understanding, implementation, and improvement of upstream power interconnections. Another special attention will be given to the energy buffer-release mechanism, which ensures a stable and reliable energy supply to downstream electronics. Beyond the technical details, the speaker will also explore the challenges and opportunities associated with the technological transfer of battery-free IoT solutions, highlighting the path toward scalable, real-world applications.