Energy harvesting technological examples
Orbray Co., Ltd.
Sensing with Battery-less technology
Orbray Co., Ltd. was established in 1953. Our basic policy of developing Only-one (one and only) products and driving niche markets. The business domain widespreads into several sectors including semiconductors, optical communications and medical devices, in addition to the core industrial jewel business.
Utilizing the only-one technology and mobility as a component maker so far, we will provide innovative R&D, one-stop solution proposal, Proof-of-Concept, and prototyping depending on customer's requirement.
As an example of innovative R&D, high power vibration generating devices with electromagnetic induction were developed. These devices can be used as an independent power supply for wireless sensor networks and as a technology to extend battery driving time. [Vibration type] [Hand grip type] [Slide type] [Switch type] [Forced drive type] etc. have been lined up for various kinds of energy such as acceleration, gravity, impact, load, etc, respectively. We customize not only power generation devices but also devices combining with sensors and wireless module.
As an example of IoT solution, a vehicle detection device without power supply, battery, and wiring are currently developing.
The detailed method to obtain the data is
- The vehicle generates power by stepping on the detection device,
- activates the wireless communication module using the generated energy,
- sends "Entering and Leaving" data to the gateway,
- and sends data to the cloud from the gateway.
This device can manage not only the number of parked vehicles but also traffic jam cancellation by guiding to another parking. The data can be used for data analysis/behavior analysis of parking business.
Youth Engineering Co., Ltd.
Development of high performance porous graphene manufacturing process
Since 2014, we have been focusing on research and development of power storage devices mainly of lithium-ion batteries and their manufacturing equipments. Since 2018, we have been promoting joint research with the National University of Singapore (NUS) for graphene applications. Graphene is known as a nanomaterial with high electron mobility, thermal conductivity and strength. This time, we succeeded in forming a porous body (graphene foam) suitable for the electrode material of electric double layer capacitors (supercapacitors) by subjecting commercially available activated carbon to SPS treatment (Spark Plasma Sintering). By using graphene foam, it is possible to reduce the amount of binder, which causes electrical resistance and also causes performance deterioration due to chemical reaction with the electrolyte, to zero. It has been confirmed that the prototyped supercapacitor has a durability of 10 times or more and a power density of 2 times or more compared to the conventional product. Currently, we are researching and developing mass production equipment (see the figure above).
