In the heart of Bulgaria, researchers are cooking up a storm in the world of sustainable technology. Nikolay Atanasov, an associate professor at the Department of Communication and Computer Engineering at South-West University “Neofit Rilski,” has led a team that’s developed a flexible, eco-friendly rectenna—a device that harvests and converts radio frequency (RF) energy. This isn’t just a scientific breakthrough; it’s a potential game-changer for the energy sector and the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) industry.
Imagine a world where billions of IoT devices power themselves, reducing the need for batteries and minimizing electronic waste. That’s the vision Atanasov and his team are working towards. With over 19 billion connected IoT devices worldwide, the demand for sustainable, self-powered solutions is more pressing than ever. These devices are revolutionizing sectors from industry and healthcare to education, energy, and agriculture. However, their environmental impact is a growing concern.
Enter the rectenna. Atanasov’s team has designed and fabricated a flexible rectenna that operates in the 5G lower mid-band and the ISM 2.45 GHz band. The antenna element is a fractal structure inspired by nature, specifically a tree form, which allows for a compact size. But what sets this rectenna apart is its substrate—a biodegradable material made from natural rubber filled with rice husk ash. “We wanted to ensure that our solution was not only efficient but also eco-friendly,” Atanasov explains. “The substrate is a significant part of the rectenna, and using biodegradable materials reduces its environmental impact.”
The rectifier circuit, which converts the harvested RF energy into direct current, is also integrated into the flexible substrate. This seamless integration makes the rectenna an ideal candidate for next-generation low-power IoT devices. The team’s numerical analysis, based on the finite-difference time-domain method, shows a high degree of agreement with experimental results, validating their design.
So, how might this research shape future developments? For one, it could lead to a new wave of self-powered IoT devices, reducing the need for batteries and minimizing electronic waste. This is particularly relevant for the energy sector, where IoT devices are increasingly used for monitoring and managing energy consumption. Self-powered devices could make energy management systems more sustainable and efficient.
Moreover, the use of biodegradable materials in the rectenna’s substrate could inspire other researchers to explore eco-friendly alternatives in their designs. This could lead to a broader shift towards sustainable technologies, reducing the environmental impact of the tech industry.
The research, published in Applied Sciences (translated from Bulgarian: Приложни науки), is a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable, self-powered IoT devices. As Atanasov puts it, “Our goal is to create technologies that not only advance the field but also protect our planet.” With this rectenna, they’re well on their way to achieving that goal. The future of IoT devices looks greener, and it’s all thanks to the innovative work of Atanasov and his team.