Title: Energy and touch-information for body-worn ubiquitous computing

Authors: Adrian David Cheok, Roshan Lalintha Peiris, Charith Lasantha Fernando, Owen Noel Newton Fernando, Khoo Eng Tat

Addresses: Mixed Reality Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore & Graduate School of Media Design, Keio University, 223-8526, Japan. ' Mixed Reality Lab, Interactive and Digital Media Institute, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore. ' Mixed Reality Lab, Interactive and Digital Media Institute, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore. ' Mixed Reality Lab, Interactive and Digital Media Institute, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore. ' Mixed Reality Lab, Interactive and Digital Media Institute, National University of Singapore, 119077, Singapore

Abstract: Addressing a key issue in ubiquitous computing and power generation, this paper presents several novel techniques that use the human body itself as an energy resource for power generation and as a biological data network. Particularly focusing on power from human walking, we conducted comprehensive studies determining and comparing critical factors such as efficiencies and power generation levels generated for real generation techniques. Additionally, we present a breakthrough development of low-cost miniature circuits with significantly improved efficiencies ideal for such generation application. This paper also describes novel systems of ubiquitous personal area networks that exchange digital information by physical touch.

Keywords: PAN; personal area networks; power generation; piezoelectricity; ubiquitous computing; energy sources; human body; biological data networks; human walking; miniature circuits; low-cost circuits; physical touch; data exchange; information exchange; wearable computers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2009.027279

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2009 Vol.7 No.2, pp.137 - 166

Published online: 19 Jul 2009 *

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