A multi-frequency and multi-mode metasurface energy harvester for RF energy harvesting

Abstract Metasurface energy harvesters (MEHs) lessen the dependence of wireless communication devices on batteries or other external power sources by capturing untapped electromagnetic energy in the surroundings. In this paper, we propose a multi-frequency and multi-mode microwave metasurface for efficient radio frequency (RF) and microwave energy harvesting. The MEH is comprised of a sub-wavelength resonant ring array, which can harvest RF energy in both Wi-Fi and 5 GHz bands. A feeding network is designed to integrate the TE and TM wave energy collected by the MEH into two separate networks that each gather AC energy and deliver them to the resistive loads. In terms of the simulation’s results, the efficiency of energy harvesting at frequencies of 2.4 GHz, 3.1 GHz, as well as 3.6 GHz is 91.3%, 88.9%, and 73.9%, specifically. We manufactured a 6 × 6 array sample and conducted experiments utilizing a microwave anechoic chamber. The simulation results and results from experiments were approximately identical. The proposed design has potential applications in various fields, such as efficient wireless energy harvesting systems, self-powered devices, which has a significant potential on the environment and the energy sector by reducing carbon emissions and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.