To illustrate the application of vibration-powered electricity generators the example is given of installing them in a remote control for a television or set-top box, where it is possible to use the remote after shaking it to generate power. In such applications the use of energy harvesters in AA and AAA formats can eliminate the need to replace batteries and reduces waste.

Inside the battery-shaped case is an electromagnetic induction generator and a 500-mF capacitor for storage. The output of the AA-size generator is 10 to 180-mW, the report said and versions have been produced that provide power at 1.6- and 3.2-V, while a AAA unit that generates 2.7-V has also been produced.

The units are only suitable for equipment with low duty cycles, such as remote controls and provide about 100-mW of power, while remote controls typically consume between 40-mW and 100-mW when in use, the report said.

Brother Industries plans to exhibit the AA and AAA energy harvesters at the Techno-Frontier exhibition in Japan July 21 to 23 showing it running a TV remote control, a remote control for lighting and a LED flashlight, the report said.