This project addresses the need for an energy harvesting method compatible with economic deployment and extended battery life/ self powering for autonomous electronics, focussing on use of innovative patented high efficiency photovoltaics (HEPV) as the energy harvesting medium. The autonomous electronics platform used for the project comprises wireless multiple sensors (carbon dioxide (CO2) /temperature /humidity /light /dew point) combined with embedded data processing and datalogging electronics for use in applications such as building/ home automation, horticulture and medical devices. A key objective is demonstration of HEPV for use in various lighting scenarios, in particular indoor low lighting conditions. Other key activities include power management interface with sensors & embedded electronic modules and use with long life rechargeable thin film batteries and/or super capacitors. The HEPV power harvesting method provides potential for low cost “fit and forget” deployment of autonomous electronics based controllers in smart wireless sensor networks. The consortium includes end user assessment in the building, horticulture and medical sectors.

It is proposed to determine feasibility of using flexible plastic based organic photovoltaics (OPV) as an energy harvesting medium, providing extended battery life/ self powering of a combined carbon dioxide/ temperature/ humidity sensor. Application is aimed at use within wireless sensor networks in building control (enhanced indoor air quality & reduction in energy usage through demand control of heating & ventilating systems) and horticultural markets (accelerated plant growth through environmental control). Project aims are operation in building and greenhouse lighting levels, integration with power management systems, extended battery life/ self powering, wireless data transmission, cost effective installation and flexibility of zero maintenance deploy & forget solutions. OPV`s offer potential for a low cost solution with ease of integration. Primary benefit is economic deployment of wireless sensor networks and reduced or eliminated dependency on battery power.

This project addresses the need for energy harvesting compatible combined carbon dioxide / temperature /humidity wireless smart sensors, enabling people occupancy & indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring in buildings and deployed within an intelligent self learning (ISL) network. Project output provides automated adaptive management of air conditioning systems to achieve required IAQ and minimise energy usage. The project focusses on establishing feasibility of using intelligent self learning networks based on a random neural network (RNN) approach, providing a control platform for simultaneous measurement of multiple wireless CO2/temperature/humidity sensor inputs The project combines unique patented energy harvesting compatible CO2/temperature/humidity wireless sensors, developed by project lead Gas Sensing Solutions, combined with innovative patented ISL network capability from Glasgow Caledonian University. The RNN wireless network methodology provides potential for low cost “fit and forget” deployment of CO2/humidity/ temperature wireless sensor ISL networks into existing and new buildings. The consortium includes non-funded end user assessment.

It is proposed to develop novel low cost mid infra-red light sources and detectors, based on light emitting diodes (LED`s) and photodiodes (PD`s) respectively, primarily for use in non-dispersive infr-red (NDIR) gas sensors. This replaces the conventional incandescent light bulbs and pyroelectric detectors used in current NDIR gas sensors. Energy per gas concentration measurement is reduced by a factor of typically 3000, enabling sensors to be powered from batteries and power harvesting. Primary benefit is economic deployment of wireless sensor networks and sensor portability. The specific objectives are a) To establish the necessary mid IR device efficiencies b) To develop mid IR LED`s and PD`s operating at wavelengths matched to absorption wavebands for commercially relevant gases c) To produce and test NDIR sensors powered from energy harvesting.

This project addresses a rapid growth global market requirement, in many cases legislatively driven, for mass produced ultra-low power consumption gas sensors. The project will achieve a step change reduction in gas sensor power consumption through significant enhancement of current epitaxially grown compound semiconductor light source (light emitting diode [LED]) and photodiode detector (PD) performance. Enhanced performance would be achieved through development of novel mid infrared (MIR) edge emitting LED`s (EELED) and photodiode detector (PD`s) devices, utilising antimonide epi-grown bandgap structures. The project provides MIR EELED`S and PD`s tuned to specific gas absorption bands for use as the mid infrared light source and detector respectively in optical based gas sensors. Such ultra-low power consumption devices enable low cost “fit & forget” deployment of gas sensors specifically in smart wireless autonomous sensor networks. The consortium provides a manufacturing supply chain to implement new processes, light sources & detectors through to complete gas sensors. The project advances the Technology Readiness Level of EELED and PD capability to a late stage pre-commercial level, i.e. >TRL6.