Excellent idea. maybe this can be a product of the future, combined with different RES it can be very useful for storing electrical energy.

A device capable of extracting energy source from anywhere, especially from the environment!

We are currently developing a system of wireless sensors that measures water level and soil/ambient temperatures capable of utilizing the energy from a rice paddy microbial fuel cell. The Energy Harvesting Device delivered the innovation we need. The MFC open circuit voltage ranges from 200mV to 600mV and could deliver a short circuit current of 10mA - 50mA.

The DC/DC boost conversion feature raised the voltage level of our system from as low as 0.2V to as high as 5.0V. The selectable voltage levels from 2.4V - 5.0V made it very customized especially at times when we tried different sensors which has different voltage levels with the absence of regulators during our testing phase.

The MFC voltage and current output varies a lot, especially to weather and climate conditions. The ability to store excess energy and use this energy at specified time intervals, low output levels or even at no output state, is a very helpful feature that minimizes the interruption to the transmission cycles.

The switchable second Vout is another feature that helped our system minimize the power dissipation of the sensors. Using the ON/SLEEP state of the XBee, we were able to turn ON/OFF the sensors while the XBee is sleeping and no data is being transmitted.

PROS: Very low minimum input voltage requirement, Lots of functions, All-in-one power manager, Recommended for remote sensing & energy harvesting. CONS: Durability, Efficiency

Overall, Pretty Amazing! Highly recommended!

We purchased two of these devices, one for 20mv start up and one for 100 mv startup.

Had trouble getting either to work properly. Also, have trouble getting tech support.
Not sure what the issue is, so I blame myself.
- DL