sensors-24-04688
sensors-24-04688
sensors-24-04688
Editorial
Energy Harvesting Technologies and Applications for the
Internet of Things and Wireless Sensor Networks
Slim Naifar 1,2 , Olfa Kanoun 1, * and Carlo Trigona 3
1 Professorship of Measurement and Sensor Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Information
Technology, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany
2 Laboratory of Electromechanical Systems, National Engineering School, University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
3 Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica, Elettronica e Informatica, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6,
95125 Catania, Italy; carlo.trigona@dieei.unict.it
* Correspondence: olfa.kanoun@etit.tu-chemnitz.de
The field of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is advancing rapidly, driven by the
critical need for autonomous and sustainable wireless sensor networks [1–6]. This growth
has been accompanied by increased emphasis on energy harvesting (EH) techniques, which
aim to develop technologies for capturing and converting ambient energy into usable
electrical power. These methods leverage various environmental energy sources, convert-
ing them into electrical energy through appropriate transduction mechanisms and energy
management circuits. The use of ambient energy sources such as solar, thermal, vibrational,
and radio frequency energy has led to innovations in energy harvesting systems, incorpo-
rating advanced materials and novel transduction methods, significantly contributing to
the development of efficient and sustainable wireless sensor nodes [7–14]. Research in this
field also emphasizes minimizing the energy consumption of wireless sensor nodes, thereby
enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) [15–18].
The following Special Issue compiles 31 papers that offer a comprehensive overview
of recent advancements in energy harvesting technologies and their integration into IoT sys-
tems. The collection highlights key findings and their implications for future research and
applications. Included are studies covering energy harvesting devices, their optimization
and potential applications (Contributions 1–9), piezoelectric and pyroelectric nanogenera-
Citation: Naifar, S.; Kanoun, O.; tors (Contributions 10–11), as well as investigations into thermoelectric generators and solar
Trigona, C. Energy Harvesting harvester modules (Contributions 12–14). Additionally, this Special Issue features research
Technologies and Applications for the on the design and applications of radio frequency harvesters (Contributions 15–19), wire-
Internet of Things and Wireless Sensor less power transfer technologies (Contributions 20–21), and the design, implementation,
Networks. Sensors 2024, 24, 4688. and evaluation of wireless-powered communication networks (Contributions 22–30). A
https://doi.org/10.3390/s24144688 comprehensive review paper is also included, focusing on aging mechanisms and their
Received: 27 June 2024 impact on the electrical performance of e-textiles (Contribution 31).
Revised: 9 July 2024 In Contribution 1, research is conducted on a vibration-based cantilever beam of
Accepted: 16 July 2024 composite-laminated piezoelectric patches through an experimental study of its charac-
Published: 19 July 2024 teristics and a modeling study of energy harvesting. The experimental study investigates
the harvesting capacity and electromechanical characteristics of the cantilever harvester.
In Contribution 2, a pendulum transducer prototype is tested with an online hydrometric
measurement station. The system is successfully validated through experimental studies in
Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. a river. In Contribution 3, process optimization of key parameters such as beam spacing,
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. flux density, and optimal impedance load matching of magnetic coupled piezoelectric
This article is an open access article
harvesters is presented. The analysis of calculated voltage outputs based on theoretical and
distributed under the terms and
finite element models indicates that optimized parameters significantly enhance system
conditions of the Creative Commons
efficiency. In Contribution 4, an energy harvesting system is proposed to collect downward
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
airflow from helicopters or multi-axis unmanned rotary-wing aircraft. This wind force
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
drives a magnet to rotate, generating a repulsive force that causes a double elastic steel
4.0/).
system to slap and vibrate periodically, generating more electricity than traditional systems.
In Contribution 5, a parameter identification method for the multiparameter identification
study of a linear-arch composite beam piezoelectric energy harvester is proposed. An
experimental platform verifies that the method has high accuracy and practicability. In
Contribution 6, optimized cantilever geometries developed using the design of experiments
approach are analyzed and combined with frequency up-conversion excitation to convert
random kinetic ambient motion into periodic excitation of the harvester. In Contribution
7, piezoelectric energy harvesting is studied in the context of a low-velocity impact of a
rigid mass on a composite beam. The methodology includes modeling the open-circuit
impact response in a finite element package, formulating a lumped parameter model for
the piezoelectric transducer connected to the harvesting circuit, and experimentally ver-
ifying the impact using a custom portable configuration with impactor motion control.
In Contribution 8, a quantitative comparison of three passive rectifiers in a low-power,
low-voltage electromagnetic energy harvesting subsystem is presented. In Contribution
9, a novel method to increase the bandwidth of a cantilever beam by using an embedded
transverse out-of-plane movable mass is presented. The concept is investigated through
experimentation with a movable mass, in the form of a solid sphere, embedded within a
stationary proof mass with hollow cylindrical chambers.
In Contribution 10, flexible generators based on lead-free barium titanate (BaTiO3 ) and
a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer were developed. Through a comparative study,
the authors investigate the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) through
structural, morphological, electrical, and electromechanical measurements. In Contribution
11, the authors report for the first time a composite of ferroelectric antimony sulfoiodide
(SbSI) nanowires and non-ferroelectric titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles as a pyroelec-
tric nanogenerator. In Contribution 12, the authors propose a novel flexible triboelectric
nanogenerator (FTENG) using a flexible micro-needle-structured polydimethylsiloxane
(MN-PDMS) in combination with comfortable, commercially available 2D-polyester fibers
and electroless nickel-plated cotton cloth, both of which are widely used in daily life.
In Contribution 13, the authors present a simulation of an environment monitoring
device powered by a thermoelectric generator (TEG) that harvests energy from the tem-
perature difference between air and soil. In Contribution 14, an energy harvesting system
for solar energy is presented, featuring a flexible battery, a semi-flexible solar harvester
module, and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) microprocessor module.
In Contribution 15, the authors model and optimize various components of a Ra-
diofrequency (RF) Energy Harvesting (EH)-assisted, QB-enabled Internet of Things (IoT)
system. In Contribution 16, a new RF Energy Harvesting (RF-EH) system designed for
Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) feeding is proposed. This system utilizes two different
monitored architectures controlled by switch circuits based on input power levels. In
Contribution 17, the authors propose a self-threshold voltage compensated Radio Fre-
quency to Direct Current (RF-DC) converter that operates at 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz for
RF energy harvesting applications. In Contribution 18, the authors present a multiband
ambient RF energy harvester equipped with a high-gain wideband circularly polarized
antenna, aimed at enabling self-powered wireless sensors. In Contribution 19, the authors
introduce a metamaterial (MTM)-integrated high-gain rectenna for RF sensing and energy
harvesting applications, operating at the 2.45 GHz ISM band. The novel MTM superstrate
approach with a three-layered integration method is presented for the first time for rectenna
applications.
In Contribution 20, the authors introduce a multiple concurrent slotframe scheduling
(MCSS) protocol for wireless power transfer (WPT)-enabled wireless sensor networks.
Simulation results from their study indicate that MCSS outperforms the traditional TSCH
medium access control protocol and TSCH multiple slot frame scheduling (TMSS) in terms
of average end-to-end delay, aggregate throughput, and average harvested energy. In
Contribution 21, the authors discuss an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart meter that
utilizes energy-efficient simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) for
Sensors 2024, 24, 4688 3 of 5
8. Xu, Y.; Bader, S.; Magno, M.; Mayer, P.; Oelmann, B. System Implementation Trade-Offs
for Low-Speed Rotational Variable Reluctance Energy Harvesters. Sensors 2021, 21, 6317.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s21186317.
9. Jackson, N.; Rodriguez, L.; Adhikari, R. Wide Bandwidth Vibration Energy Harvester with
Embedded Transverse Movable Mass. Sensors 2021, 21, 5517. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21165
517.
10. Bouhamed, A.; Jöhrmann, N.; Naifar, S.; Böhm, B.; Hellwig, O.; Wunderle, B.; Kanoun, O.
Collaborative Filler Network for Enhancing the Performance of BaTiO3 /PDMS Flexible Piezo-
electric Polymer Composite Nanogenerators. Sensors 2022, 22, 4181. https://doi.org/10.3390/
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11. Mistewicz, K. Pyroelectric Nanogenerator Based on an SbSI–TiO2 Nanocomposite. Sensors 2022,
22, 69. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22010069.
12. Chung, C.; Huang, Y.; Wang, T.; Lo, Y. Fiber-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Mechanical
Energy Harvesting and Its Application to a Human–Machine Interface. Sensors 2022, 22, 9632.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s22249632.
13. Paterova, T.; Prauzek, M.; Konecny, J.; Ozana, S.; Zmij, P.; Stankus, M.; Weise, D.; Pierer,
A. Environment-Monitoring IoT Devices Powered by a TEG Which Converts Thermal Flux
between Air and Near-Surface Soil into Electrical Energy. Sensors 2021, 21, 8098. https://doi.
org/10.3390/s21238098.
14. Páez-Montoro, A.; García-Valderas, M.; Olías-Ruíz, E.; López-Ongil, C. Solar Energy Harvesting
to Improve Capabilities of Wearable Devices. Sensors 2022, 22, 3950. https://doi.org/10.3390/
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15. Gautam, S.; Solanki, S.; Sharma, S.; Chatzinotas, S.; Ottersten, B. Boosting Quantum Battery-
Based IoT Gadgets via RF-Enabled Energy Harvesting. Sensors 2022, 22, 5385. https://doi.org/
10.3390/s22145385.
16. Benkalfate, C.; Ouslimani, A.; Kasbari, A.; Feham, M. A New RF Energy Harvesting System
Based on Two Architectures to Enhance the DC Output Voltage for WSN Feeding. Sensors 2022,
22, 3576. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22093576.
17. Basim, M.; Khan, D.; Ain, Q.; Shehzad, K.; Shah, S.; Jang, B.; Pu, Y.; Yoo, J.; Kim, J.; Lee, K.
A Highly Efficient RF-DC Converter for Energy Harvesting Applications Using a Threshold
Voltage Cancellation Scheme. Sensors 2022, 22, 2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22072659.
18. Nguyen, H.; Le, M. Multiband Ambient RF Energy Harvester with High Gain Wideband
Circularly Polarized Antenna toward Self-Powered Wireless Sensors. Sensors 2021, 21, 7411.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s21217411.
19. Lee, W.; Choi, S.; Kim, H.; Hwang, S.; Jeon, S.; Yoon, Y. Metamaterial-Integrated High-Gain
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20. Lee, S.; Nguyen-Xuan, S.; Kwon, J.; Kim, E. Multiple Concurrent Slotframe Scheduling for
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21. Masood, Z.; Ardiansyah; Choi, Y. Energy-Efficient Optimal Power Allocation for SWIPT Based
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22. Koutsioumpos, M.; Zervas, E.; Hadjiefthymiades, E.; Merakos, L. A Comprehensive Study
of Event Detection in WPCN Networks with Noisy Measurements. Sensors 2022, 22, 2163.
https://doi.org/10.3390/s22062163.
23. Sultania, A.; Delgado, C.; Blondia, C.; Famaey, J. Downlink Performance Modeling and Evalua-
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24. Perera, M.; Katz, M.; Häkkinen, J.; Godaliyadda, R. Light-Based IoT: Developing a Full-Duplex
Energy Autonomous IoT Node Using Printed Electronics Technology. Sensors 2021, 21, 8024.
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25. Zanelli, F.; Mauri, M.; Castelli-Dezza, F.; Sabbioni, E.; Tarsitano, D.; Debattisti, N. Energy
Autonomous Wireless Sensor Nodes for Freight Train Braking Systems Monitoring. Sensors
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26. Lee, S.; Kwon, J.; Kim, E. Residual Energy Estimation-Based MAC Protocol for Wireless Powered
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Sensors 2024, 24, 4688 5 of 5
27. Saavedra, E.; Mascaraque, L.; Calderon, G.; del Campo, G.; Santamaria, A. The Smart Meter
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Source and IoT Wireless Technology. Sensors 2021, 21, 7433. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21227433.
28. Iqbal, M.; Sadi, Y.; Coleri, S. Minimum Length Scheduling for Multi-Cell Full Duplex Wireless
Powered Communication Networks. Sensors 2021, 21, 6599. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21196599.
29. Gautam, S.; Solanki, S.; Sharma, S.; Chatzinotas, S.; Ottersten, B. Hybrid Active-and-Passive
Relaying Model for 6G-IoT Greencom Networks with SWIPT. Sensors 2021, 21, 6013. https:
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30. Lee, K. Distributed Transmit Power Control for Energy-Efficient Wireless-Powered Secure
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31. Biermaier, C.; Bechtold, T.; Pham, T. Towards the Functional Ageing of Electrically Conductive
and Sensing Textiles: A Review. Sensors 2021, 21, 5944. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21175944.
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