Micro-windmill technology is an
innovative new way to power cell phones and other technological
devices.
University of Texas at Arlington graduate research associate
Smitha Rao and electrical engineering professor J.-C. Chiao developed a
smaller-than-ever micro-windmill. The micro-windmills were developed due to the
influence of advances in micro-robotic devices. The micro-windmills are 1.8 millimeters at their widest point and
a grain of rice could hold approximately 10 micro-windmills; however, the tiny
technology has the possibility to generate large amounts of wind energy.
According to the University, micro-windmills are made by "blending origami
concepts into conventional wafer-scale semiconductor device layouts so complex
3D moveable mechanical structures can be self-assembled from two dimensional
metal pieces utilizing planar multilayer electroplating
techniques."
In September
2013, the micro-windmills successfully passed tests in Chiao's lab. For
instance, the windmills continued to operate under strong artificial winds
without any fracture in the material. The fabrication cost to making the
micro-windmills is fairly inexpensive since they can made in
batches.
Examples of how
micro-windmill technology can hit the market include sleeves for mobile phones
and flat-panels on buildings. Cell phone sleeves can be manufactured by
embedding hundreds of the micro-windmills into a cell phone sleeve. Customers
can place their phones in the sleeve when their phone is out of battery power,
wave the phone in the air to recharge the battery, and use the phone again. The
micro-windmills can be cheaply made on surfaces of portable devices as well,
such as smart phones. An iPhone 4, for example, can fit approximately 2,040
micro-windmills on its surface. Additionally, flat panels with thousands of
micro-windmills can be mounted on the walls of houses or buildings to gather
energy for lighting, security and wireless communication. WinMEMS, a
micro-electrical-mechanical-system manufacturer, is taking the next step and
will commercialize the micro-windmill technology.
Manufacturers, such as WinMEMS, that add products to
their supply
chain often find themselves facing new challenges. For instance, producing
the most innovative products with an older, legacy software solution creates
expensive supply chain customization and never-ending implementations.
Therefore, manufacturers wanting to introduce new products, and have a leg-up
over the competition, have enterprise resource
planning (ERP) software that centralizes data and streamlines operations.
Overall, it is essential to have the ERP software in place to move forward with today’s innovative
products.
Chiao’s proud that
a manufacturer recognizes the new product and is taking the first-step to move
micro-windmill technology toward the marketplace. Rao added, "We've only
scratched the surface on how these micro-windmills might be used."
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