A batteryless thermoelectric energy-harvesting interface circuit with 35mV startup voltage

Abstract

A batteryless thermoelectric energy-harvesting interface circuit to extract electrical energy from human body heat is implemented in a 0.35 ¿m CMOS process. A mechanically assisted startup circuit enables operation of the system from input voltages as low as 35 mV. A control circuit that performs maximal transfer of the extracted energy to a storage capacitor and regulates the output voltage at 1.8 V is presented.