LYNNTECH INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A20-018

Description

The US Army’s Network Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (NC3I) modernization requires sensing assets capable of intelligent, autonomous and reliable processing and communications. Unattended sensors providing these capabilities can integrate with networks to provide this raw, processed, or fully analyzed sensor data. However, there is a need for powering these elements for long time durations. Even for sub-Watt requirements, batteries become too large for the timeframes needed, and solar power is subject to environmental conditions that may not always be present in the regions where the sensors are needed most. Thus, there is a critical need for long term power generation for these elements that requires minimal maintenance or replacement. In this research, Lynntech and partners at University of Pennsylvania propose an Innovate solution capable of providing power through energy harvesting near overhead power lines and/or mains power to facilities. Through this method, unattended sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices are capable of being operated indefinitely, eliminating logistical difficulties of tending to the power system for these devices. During Phase I Lynntech will demonstrate proof of concept of the power generation, scalability of the system, and the integration of the core technology into usable power supplies for low power sensor applications.