5uW and 500mV energy-harvesting possible?

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MacBam

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Hi
It is possible to harvest 10uW with 500mV from a source - to a voltage 2.7V for low-power wireless transmission (using a powermangement system) or is this to low.
 

That voltage is barely enough to turn on a silicon transistor. I believe a germanium transistor would permit you to make a joule thief circuit which steps up voltage.
 

Low-threshold MOS transistors might be usable
but you will be in a bind between back-leakage and
forward conduction with maybe 2-3 decades of
current between "on" and "off". That doesn't bode
well for energy-capture efficiency.

You could look to 3.3V technologies (2.5V being
a bit short for the desired voltage) which offer
multiple VTs, and go play. 3.3V is also a common
"I/O device" in dual gate ox technologies and may
(or not) have a low threshold, thick gate combo
in the device set.

Now if you want a breadboard, built from discrete
components, that's unlikely.
 

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