3D-printed waste energy harvesting systems from electromagnetic smog

How to efficiently harvest energy from electrosmog: Enabling smarter cities

"We are surrounded by electromagnetic waves - pure energy - much of which is lost continuously because transmitters broadcast non-stop, regardless of whether anyone is receiving the signal at any given moment. While this amount of energy is not enough to power a refrigerator, space heater, or light bulb directly, there is no denying that in an urban environment, it is ubiquitous and easily accessible. Crucially, it is sufficient to power properly designed low-power electronic systems. Waste energy harvesting solutions already exist, but they can be improved to make them cheaper, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly," says Marcin Słoma, DSc, Eng., University Professor at the Faculty of Mechatronics, Warsaw University of Technology. Funded under the European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021–2027 (FENG) program via a Proof of Concept grant awarded by the Foundation for Polish Science, his research aims to recover waste energy using antennas fabricated from specialized conductive materials designed for 3D printers.

Electrosmog refers to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by electrical and electronic devices, such as radios, televisions, computers, mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, cellular towers, and high-voltage power lines. Whether and to what extent electrosmog impacts human health remains a subject of ongoing scientific inquiry. Some studies suggest that long-term exposure to electromagnetic smog may lead to sleep disturbances, headaches, fatigue, depression, or even an increased risk of cancer, though definitive evidence supporting these theories has yet to be established. However, putting aside the debated issue of human health impacts, capturing waste electromagnetic waves offers another distinct benefit: it can serve as a universally available energy source. This challenge is particularly relevant for smart cities—urban centers packed with technology to collect, analyze, and utilize data to enhance the quality of life for their residents. Global leaders in smart city development include Singapore, Tokyo, London, Barcelona, and Amsterdam. Yet, while the dense network of Wi-Fi routers, transmitters, sensors, and modern electronic devices enhances safety and lowers living costs, it also generates substantial electromagnetic radiation - creating electrosmog.

"Electromagnetic smog provides sufficient power for properly engineered low-power electronic circuits. Such systems can operate on extremely weak signals, eliminating the need for batteries or power cables. A prime example is the vast network of sensors deployed throughout smart cities. These distributed sensor networks monitor parameters such as traffic flow, air pollution, structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure, or water quality in municipal networks. Importantly, these systems do not require continuous power like a light bulb. The core concept is that devices powered by electrosmog continuously collect small amounts of energy, store it incrementally, and then use that accumulated energy to transmit data - for instance, once an hour or once a day," explains Prof. Marcin Słoma.

Sensors powered by electrosmog could also find applications in precision agriculture (for real-time crop monitoring), environmental protection, or telemedicine (such as continuous home health monitoring for patients).

"Waste energy harvesting technology already exists worldwide, primarily in the form of traditional electronic circuits. My project focuses on testing a 3D-printing approach to manufacture a specialized class of antennas that harvest waste energy from electromagnetic waves and convert it into electrical power. This work builds upon conductive materials previously developed by my research team - polymer composites filled with metallic additives tailored for use in 3D printers. This solution offers lower costs, higher efficiency, and improved sustainability, as the materials used can be made biodegradable," says Prof. Marcin Słoma.

Under the Proof of Concept project, the researchers are collaborating with an industrial partner to consult on design concepts and test the 3D-printed antennas within a manufacturing process, where they will be integrated into target electronic devices.

Marcin Słoma, DSc, Eng., earned his PhD and DSc (habilitation) degrees from the Warsaw University of Technology. His doctoral research concentrated on the application of carbon nanotubes in printed electronics, while his habilitation thesis explored broader applications of carbon nanomaterials in electronic technology. He has completed research fellowships at institutions including the University of Oulu in Finland, Cranfield University in the UK, and Stanford University in the USA. At the Faculty of Mechatronics at WUT, as a laureate of the FIRST TEAM POIR grant from the Foundation for Polish Science, he led the 3WELES research group focused on developing functional composite materials for structural electronics. He has authored over 50 scientific articles in JCR-listed journals, more than 60 peer-reviewed paper presentations and conference proceedings, serves as a reviewer for over a dozen international scientific journals, co-holds 11 national and international patents, and authored the monograph Additive Manufacturing of Structural Electronics, derived from the 3WELES project.