World’s Smallest Solar Powered Sensor

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a tiny solar powered sensor – 1,000 times smaller than comparable commercial counterparts.

The system’s processor, solar cells, and battery are all contained in a frame measuring 2.5 x 3.5 x 1mm. The system contains the ARM Cortex-M3 processor, which uses about 2,000 times less power in sleep mode than its most energy-efficient counterpart on the market today.

According to electrical and computer engineering professor David Blaauw, the system can run nearly perpetually if periodically exposed to reasonable lighting conditions, even indoors and the only limiting factor is the life of the battery.

More info here.