# 29: Ducking the Quadcopter

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2013-12-04
- Length: 45m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/mes-ep29-mp3

## Summary

Dr. Kathleen Vaeth, Vice President of Engineering at MicroGen Systems, explains how their MEMS-based vibrational energy harvesters convert ambient vibration into power using aluminum nitride piezoelectric materials. She details the device's operation as a tuned cantilever that generates 50-200 microwatts, enabling wireless sensors for industrial monitoring and building management without battery maintenance. The discussion covers specific applications like powering TI eZ430 transmitters and Linear Technology sensors, as well as future roadmap items including impulse-mode harvesting for wearables and tire pressure monitoring systems.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=6) Introduction: Kathleen Vaeth and MicroGen Systems
- [1:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=92) Background: Chemical Engineering and MEMS at Kodak
- [2:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=140) Technology: MEMS Fabrication and Aluminum Nitride
- [4:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=293) Power Output and Wireless Sensor Applications
- [9:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=565) Resonant Frequency Tuning and Industrial Use Cases
- [15:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=909) Demonstrations: Quadcopters, Drones, and Military
- [18:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=1092) Impulse Mode: Wearables and Tire Pressure Sensors
- [23:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=1386) Manufacturing: Wafer-Level Packaging and X-FAB
- [30:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=1803) Company Status: Team, Funding, and Development Kit
- [40:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter#t=2414) Career Path and Industry Conference Insights

## Topics

- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- MicroGen Systems (company)
- TI eZ430 (product)
- Linear Technology (company)
- X-FAB (company)
- Kodak (company)
- Cornell (other)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (other)

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- [Energy Harvesting and Sustainability in IoT | ARMOR's John Fiske](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-08-16-energy-harvesting-and-sustainability-in-iot-armors-john-fiske) (IoT For All Podcast)
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## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-12-04-29-ducking-the-quadcopter. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.