Abstract: An electrical network including a power source, a flyback converter, a microcontroller, a PID controller, a voltage boost converter, a pulse width modulator integrated circuit, and a battery. The power source produces a charge with a voltage ranging from about 0.1V to about 0.8V and a power ranging from about 0.3 mW to about 100 mW. The flyback converter functions in discontinuous current mode. The microcontroller monitors the power source voltage, calculates a voltage response, and outputs a control signal for the voltage. The PID controller is a digital PID controller, an analog PID controller, or a combination thereof. The voltage boost converter utilizes the power source voltage and power to provide higher voltage power to the electrical network. The pulse width modulator integrated circuit sets a duty cycle and frequency for the flyback converter. The battery stores excess charge produced by the power source.

Abstract: An electrical network including a power source, a flyback converter, a microcontroller, a PID controller, a voltage boost converter, a pulse width modulator integrated circuit, and a battery. The power source produces a charge with a voltage ranging from about 0.1V to about 0.8V and a power ranging from about 0.3 mW to about 100 mW. The flyback converter functions in discontinuous current mode. The microcontroller monitors the power source voltage, calculates a voltage response, and outputs a control signal for the voltage. The PID controller is a digital PID controller, an analog PID controller, or a combination thereof. The voltage boost converter utilizes the power source voltage and power to provide higher voltage power to the electrical network. The pulse width modulator integrated circuit sets a duty cycle and frequency for the flyback converter. The battery stores excess charge produced by the power source.

Abstract: A method for autonomous systems comprising the steps of using a feedback circuit to provide power to an autonomous system, wherein the feedback circuit is configured to alternate between a first and second sources of power depending on availability of power; creating a delay in the circuit by electrically coupling the circuit to a comparator, a one-shot signal, and a low pass filter, wherein the delay is configured to last for a specified amount of time, and wherein the delay will prevent the power from uncontrolled back and forth oscillation between the first and second power sources.

Abstract: A system comprising a tether having two conductors, wherein one end is electrically coupled to a ground system and the other end is electrically coupled to an aerial system; the ground system comprising a power signal and a data signal, wherein the power signal and data signal are interfaced through a bias-tee circuit, the ground system further comprising a transient attenuation circuit; the aerial system comprising a bias-tee circuit and a transient attenuation circuit; the ground system configured to send and the aerial system configured to receive the power signal via the tether, and the ground system and the aerial system configured to send and receive the data signal via the tether.

Abstract: A method for autonomous systems comprising the steps of using a feedback circuit to provide power to an autonomous system, wherein the feedback circuit is configured to alternate between a first and second source of power depending on availability of power; creating a delay in the circuit by electrically coupling the circuit to a comparator, a one-shot signal, and a low pass filter, wherein the delay is configured to last for a specified amount of time, and wherein the delay will prevent the power from uncontrolled back and forth oscillation between the first and second power source.

Abstract: A system comprising a series of at least two benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFC), wherein each BMFC comprises an anode electrically connected to a cathode, and wherein for each BMFC there is a first and second comparator configured to monitor BMFC voltage to determine if the voltage falls below one of two present thresholds. The output of the first comparator is electrically connected to the BMFC via a switch and the output of the second comparator is electrically connected to a pulse width monitor (PWM) block via a switch. A DC/DC converter is electrically coupled to each BMFC and configured to transfer energy stored in each BMFC to a battery, wherein the DC/DC converter is driven by the PWM block.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes a core portion, a first magnet, and a second magnet. The core portion has an electrical output and can move from a first disposition to a second disposition. The first magnet is disposed to provide first magnetic field lines therethrough in a first direction. The second magnet is disposed to provide second magnetic field lines therethrough in a second direction. The core portion, the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged such that externally applied vibrations in a third direction normal to the first direction cause the core portion to oscillate between the first disposition and the second disposition.

Abstract: A method for improving power production comprising the steps of providing an existing linear array benthic microbial fuel cell system having an anode and a plurality of cathodes, wherein the anode is an insulated underwater cable buried beneath seafloor sediment, and wherein the plurality of cathodes are configured to be buoyant and to rise above the sea floor, wrapping the insulated underwater cable with carbon fiber bundles and a current collector, wherein the carbon fiber is coated with a binder, securing the carbon fiber bundles and current collector with a web of synthetic fiber, fraying the carbon fiber bundles, creating exposed carbon ends on the cable and removing the binder.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system includes a transducer, a capacitor, a power converter, a power converter control line, a control switch and a control switch control line. The transducer harvests energy and outputs electrical current based on the harvested energy. The capacitor stores a rectified voltage based on the electrical current. The control switch can be open or closed. The control switch control line is arranged to provide a control voltage based on the rectified voltage to the control switch. When the control voltage is equal to or greater than a threshold voltage the control switch is closed such that the power converter control line electrically connects the power converter to a battery in order to provide harvested energy to the battery.

Abstract: A USB-style data-transfer device employs volatile memory that is connected to an onboard power-storage device for data storage. Through this design, any data stored on the memory can be physically cleared by interrupting the supply of electrical power from the onboard power-storage device to the memory. Enhanced security relative to conventional USB flash devices is provided by the volatile memory-based USB-style data-transfer device as the memory can be physically cleared without being plugged into a computer system either automatically when the onboard power storage device runs out of electrical power to supply to the volatile memory, or by user initiation through either a programmed instruction to interrupt the supply of electric power after a set time period or the operation of a manual switch which interrupts the supply of electric power.

Abstract: A USB-style data-transfer device employs volatile memory that is connected to an onboard power-storage device for data storage. Through this design, any data stored on the memory can be physically cleared by interrupting the supply of electrical power from the onboard power-storage device to the memory. Enhanced security relative to conventional USB flash devices is provided by the volatile memory-based USB-style data-transfer device as the memory can be physically cleared without being plugged into a computer system either automatically when the onboard power storage device runs out of electrical power to supply to the volatile memory, or by user initiation through either a programmed instruction to interrupt the supply of electric power after a set time period or the operation of a manual switch which interrupts the supply of electric power.

Abstract: A system comprising a series of at least two benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFC), wherein each BMFC comprises an anode electrically connected to a cathode, and wherein for each BMFC there is a first and second comparator configured to monitor BMFC voltage to determine if the voltage falls below one of two present thresholds. The output of the first comparator is electrically connected to the BMFC via a switch and the output of the second comparator is electrically connected to a pulse width monitor (PWM) block via a switch. A DC/DC converter is electrically coupled to each BMFC and configured to transfer energy stored in each BMFC to a battery, wherein the DC/DC converter is driven by the PWM block.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes a core portion, a first magnet, and a second magnet. The core portion has an electrical output and can move from a first disposition to a second disposition. The first magnet is disposed to provide first magnetic field lines therethrough in a first direction. The second magnet is disposed to provide second magnetic field lines therethrough in a second direction. The core portion, the first magnet and the second magnet are arranged such that externally applied vibrations in a third direction normal to the first direction cause the core portion to oscillate between the first disposition and the second disposition.

Abstract: A system comprising a tether having two conductors, wherein one end is electrically coupled to a ground system and the other end is electrically coupled to an aerial system; the ground system comprising a power signal and a data signal, wherein the power signal and data signal are interfaced through a bias-tee circuit, the ground system further comprising a transient attenuation circuit; the aerial system comprising a bias-tee circuit and a transient attenuation circuit; the ground system configured to send and the aerial system configured to receive the power signal via the tether, and the ground system and the aerial system configured to send and receive the data signal via the tether.

Abstract: A method for improving power production comprising the steps of providing an existing linear array benthic microbial fuel cell system having an anode and a plurality of cathodes, wherein the anode is an insulated underwater cable buried beneath seafloor sediment, and wherein the plurality of cathodes are configured to be buoyant and to rise above the sea floor, wrapping the insulated underwater cable with carbon fiber bundles and a current collector, wherein the carbon fiber is coated with a binder, securing the carbon fiber bundles and current collector with a web of synthetic fiber, fraying the carbon fiber bundles, creating exposed carbon ends on the cable and removing the binder.

Abstract: This disclosure focuses on the development of a micro-usb module that allows a smart-device to transmit and receive IEEE 802.25.4 messages via a connection through the phone's micro-usb slot without the need for an additional external battery. This disclosure focuses on the implementation of the ACSD Protocols through the use of a Secure Handheld Network Access Device (HNAD). The functional goal of a Secure Handheld Network Access Device (HNAD) is to provide a bidirectional wireless RF communication interface to Security Devices, based upon IEEE Standard 802.15.4-2006 physical and data link layer protocols.