Speaker: Prof. Aatmesh Shrivastava , Northestern University
Abstract:
Wearable electronics, intelligent devices, medical electronics, and more recently Internet of Things (IoTs) are dramatically changing the way we experience life by providing rich information about our activities, health, and the environment. To be truly ubiquitous, these devices must be energy autonomous. Such a system must harvest energy from ambient sources like light, vibration, temperature differentials, etc. and must also be very efficient in using the little energy available to it for computation. This talk focuses on how to enable perpetual, self-sustaining ultra-low power systems. We will discuss circuits that can harvest energy efficiently from the smallest ambient sources, and ultra-low power analog and mixed signal circuits such as voltage references, clock generators and regulators. We will also talk about the need for an ultra-low power system architecture where energy takes the center stage in defining the architecture and not performance as in traditional systems. Finally, we will discuss the use of ultra-low power systems for the development of bio-electronics and neurological systems, and power-electronics with an emphasis on the use of renewable energy.