McGruer and Rinaldi Awarded Patent
ECE Professor Nicol McGruer and Associate Professor Matteo Rinaldi were awarded a patent for “Zero Power Sensors”.
Source: USPTO
An environmental physical sensor is provided that includes a power input terminal, a sensor output terminal, and a resonant switch. The resonant switch includes a mechanical element that is responsive to an environmental stimulus and is coupled to an electrical switch. The electrical switch is operable between an open position and a closed position and electrically connects the power input terminal to the sensor output terminal when in the closed position. The mechanical element is configured to intermittently actuate the electrical switch into the closed position responsive to the environmental stimulus.
