Metamaterial antenna harvests energy from radio waves

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Researchers have developed a new metasurface-based antenna, an advance that makes it possible to harvest energy from radio waves such as the ones used in mobile phone networks.  

energy from radio waves
The researchers tested their metamaterial-based antenna in an anechoic chamber. The radio wave is sent out from the horn antenna on the left and received by the metasurface antenna mounted on the wood frame on the right. The anechoic chamber eliminates background signals from other sources and prevents stray signals from the radio wave source from bouncing around the room and perturbing measurements. The image of metamaterial-based antenna is enlarged on the right (Image: Jiangfeng Zhou and Clayton Fowler)

The technology could potentially provide wireless power to sensors, LEDs and other devices with low energy requirements.

“By eliminating wired connections and batteries, these antennas could help reduce costs, improve reliability and make some electrical systems more efficient,” said research team leader Jiangfeng Zhou from the University of South Florida. “This would be useful for powering smart home sensors such as those used for temperature, lighting and motion or sensors used to monitor the structure of buildings or bridges, where replacing a battery might be difficult or impossible.”

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