Wireless Energy Harvesting by Direct Voltage Multiplication on Lateral Waves from a Suspended Dielectric layer

Abstract

This paper explores the feasibility of wireless energy harvesting by direct voltage multiplication on lateral waves. Whilst free space is undoubtedly a known medium for wireless energy harvesting, space waves are too attenuated to support realistic transmission of wireless energy. A layer of thin stratified dielectric material suspended in mid-air can form a substantially less attenuated pathway, which efficiently supports propagation of wireless energy in the form of lateral waves. The conductivity of the suspended dielectric layer does not appear to be a critical factor rendering propagation of lateral waves impossible. In this paper, a mathematical model has been developed to simulate wireless energy harvesting over a suspended layer of stratified dielectric material. The model has been experimentally verified with the help of a novel open-ended voltage multiplier designed to harvest energy from ambient electromagnetic fields.