| 2015-LEON-67181 | |
| The use of cameras in remote environments is often limited to the camera's battery life. As a result, the extended use of cameras or image sensors in areas without existing electrical infrastructure requires an alternative energy source. This normally comes in the form of a small solar array; however, current systems are bulky, expensive, and overly complex. Fortunately, new options are being developed such as reconfiguring the pixels inside the detection system of the camera into solar cells. Regrettably, these reconfigured pixels do not adequately power the camera for prolonged periods. Researchers at Purdue University have developed a transistor array that eliminates the resistance, or electrical inefficiency, normally associated with reconfigurable pixels. The reconfigurable pixel can function as a light-sensing element for image capture or as a tiny solar cell for energy harvesting. In this new pixel architecture, substrate photodiodes, which are considered as parasitic, are employed as energy harvesters. The pixel configuration is compatible with standard CMOS integrated circuit fabrication processes. Reconfigurable pixels could be applied in situations where a camera needs to collect data, but the location is not near an electrical infrastructure, e.g., border surveillance, highway monitoring, and habitat management. Advantages: -Functions as a light-sensing element for image capture -Harvests energy for self-powering -Transistors are arrayed in a more efficient manner -The pixel architecture is compatible with CMOS integrated circuit fabrication processes Potential Applications: -Highway safety monitoring -Border surveillance -Habitat observation -Remote monitoring |
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Jul 14, 2017
Utility Patent
United States
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Jul 14, 2016
Provisional-Patent
United States
(None)
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Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization 1801 Newman Road West Lafayette, IN 47906 Phone: (765) 588-3475 Fax: (765) 463-3486 Email: otcip@prf.org |