MEMS and sensors

Which is an example of MEMS "energy harvesting"?

  1. ADrawing power from a wall outlet
  2. BConverting ambient vibration into electricity with a piezoelectric element to power a sensor
  3. CConnecting batteries in parallel to increase capacity
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. Converting ambient vibration into electricity with a piezoelectric element to power a sensor

Energy harvesting converts small amounts of ambient energy, such as vibration, heat, light or radio waves, into electricity for use. A MEMS piezoelectric element that turns machine vibration into electricity can power sensors placed where battery replacement is difficult.

  • A. Drawing power from an outlet is not energy harvesting.
  • B. Correct. Ambient vibration is converted into electricity.
  • C. Adding batteries is not energy harvesting.
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More MEMS and sensors questions

  1. Which technology builds tiny channels on a chip to perform chemical analysis or testing with small amounts of liquid?
  2. What is the principle of the NDIR gas sensor often used to measure indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration?
  3. Which MEMS-fabricated ultrasonic elements are sometimes used in under-display fingerprint sensors in smartphones and in medical ultrasound?
  4. In surface micromachining, what problem occurs if a structural thin film such as polysilicon has large internal residual stress?
  5. In a MEMS electrostatic actuator, if the voltage between two parallel electrodes is doubled, by roughly what factor does the electrostatic attraction between them change? (Assume the gap is unchanged.)