Converting radio frequency into usable energy - the success story of Malaysian inventors

• Developed an RF system that converts ambient energy into power for IoT devices
• Developed from Aug 2020 to Sept 2023, this tech boosts energy efficiency & sustainability

Mobile devices and Internet of Things (IoT) applications are increasingly common, yet keeping them charged remains a challenge. Scientists and technology leaders are exploring new methods of power harvesting, offering innovative charging solutions beyond conventional power outlets.

This vision is becoming a reality in Malaysia, thanks to a collaboration between Infinecs Systems Sdn Bhd, Universiti Malaya, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) Project. Together, they have developed an Integrated RF Energy Harvesting System, an innovative solution that converts ambient radio frequency (RF) energy into usable electrical power for IoT devices. Developed between August 2020 and September 2023, this breakthrough technology enhances energy efficiency and sustainability.

The system boasts several key features: high sensitivity to harvest energy even from weak RF signals, an extended dynamic range to maintain efficiency across varying signal strengths, and the ability to capture energy from three different frequency bands, ensuring versatility. It also optimises energy conversion and storage for improved performance.

“This project is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and industry. The Analog, Digital and RF Research Group, led by myself, along with contributions from Dr Lian Wen Xun and Dr Yong Jack Kee, played a pivotal role in its development. Support from CREST, Infinecs, UM, APU, and USM was instrumental in bringing this innovation to life,” said Dr Ir Harikrishnan Ramiah, head of the Centre of Research Industry at Universiti Malaya and spokesperson for the project.

He noted that designing an RF energy harvesting system capable of efficiently converting RF energy across multiple bands required overcoming numerous technical challenges. “This was achieved through rigorous research, extensive testing, and close collaboration between academic researchers and industry experts,” he said.

Another major challenge was integration—seamlessly combining components such as the RF front-end, rectifier, and charge pumps into a single system. “We addressed these challenges through meticulous design and optimisation,” Harikrishnan added.

The system has received overwhelmingly positive market feedback, with strong industry interest in its potential to provide sustainable, self-sufficient power solutions for IoT devices. Its impact has been further recognised with the prestigious Top In Tech Innovation Award for Most Impactful Academia-Industry Collaboration.

Looking ahead, the team is actively pursuing commercialisation, targeting applications in 5G communications, IoT sensors, biomedical wearables, and RFID. “We also plan to continue R&D efforts to enhance the system’s performance, efficiency, and versatility. Future work includes integrating it with 5G Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and co-designing antennas and rectifiers to reduce system complexity and improve overall performance,” said Harikrishnan.