Algra seeks partners to commercialise piezo button
Switch specialist Algra has developed a piezo button that uses energy harvesting to power a wireless transmitter and communicate a key touch.
The technology, known as Dynapic Wireless, is based on the Dynapic piezo system patented by Algra in the 1980s. According to Algra, Dynapic Wireless eliminates the cost of installing wiring and batteries and the subsequent cost of replacement batteries.
The piezo buttons are less than 1mm high and are said to have an operating life of more than 10million operations. While the buttons harvest up to 100µJ, they only require 4µJ to transmit 10bit of data at 1MHz over distances of up to 1metre.
Algra is now looking for partners to help commercialise the technology in such applications as instrumentation, machine interfaces and buildings.
