The growing interconnectedness of the world, bring both innovation and environmental concerns–one is the harmful effects of the traditional battery-powered devices electronic waste.
Recognizing this recurring and alarming issue, the Center for Integrated Circuits Design (CICD) of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), led by its Center Head, Dr. Jefferson A. Hora, are pioneering an initiative.
Dr. Jefferson Hora presented MSU-IIT’s.
The program and project titled “Center for IC (Integrated Circuit) Design and Devices Research (CIDR): Project 4 – Energy Harvesting for Battery-less IoT Device Operation,” is funded and monitored by the Department of Science and Technology– Grants-In-Aid (DOST-GIA) and DOST -Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology. Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), respectively.
What is IoT and Why it Needs Revolutionizing?
IoT is an abbreviation for “Internet of Things”. As according to the website of Informa TechTarget, an American incorporation that offers data-driven marketing services , IoT is a network of devices, often referred to as “smart” that are embedded with advance technologies and IoT enables the convenience of data transmission, saving time and money.
You might even have your very own IoT. From the smartwatch you wear to track your steps, that also reflects on your phone–that is linked to your laptop. However, despite the convenience IoT devices provides, its development and ability to extend and reached out to industries seemed to be slower than expected.
A CIDR researcher designing and simulating using electronic design automation (EDA) tools.
As stated in the article titled “Overcoming IoT’s Battery Barrier with Self-Powered Sensors” published in the TechEx website, in 2012, as per the prediction of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), the world will have about one trillion connected devices by 2015–but in actuality, per Tanwer Alam 2018, the number was at 15 billion devices. The article further argued that the slow progress is due to the fact that IoT devices runs on battery.
“Traditional IoT deployments rely on batteries, which pose significant environmental, economic, and logistical challenges due to frequent replacements and maintenance,” explains Dr. Hora.
CIDR Project 4 as Dr. Hora further asserts, “paves the way for a more scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable future for IoT deployments”.
The Vision Behind CIDR Project 4
CCIDR Project 4 is a three (3) year project (August 2022-August 2025), with an initiative to create a “customizable and reconfigurable power management IC (Integrated Circuit) designed to optimize power efficiency and seamlessly integrate with various energy sources, including light, thermal, and Radio Frequency (RF) energy.
“This technology allows for stand-alone or hybrid energy harvesting solutions, tailored to the specific needs of wireless sensor nodes (WSNs) and IoT applications,” Dr. Hora stated. In simple terms, CIDR Project 4 is opting for battery-less IoT devices.
A CIDR researcher developing firmware for IoT applications.
Collaboration is a key factor in the project.
The partnership with the Microelectronics and Microprocessor Laboratory of University of the Philippines-Diliman (CIDR Project 1, 2, and 3), the industry partner Xinyx Design and Consultancy Services Inc. (XINYX) for the joint research implementation of CIDR Project-4, and the Mirror Laboratories’ university partners under CIDR Project-4—such as the University of Science and Technology in Southern Philippines (USTP), Caraga State University (CSU), MSU-Marawi, MSU-GenSan, and University of Southern Philippines (USM) —has significantly amplified the project’s impact and reach.
Scientific and Technological Contribution of CIDR Project 4
According to an article titled “Batteryless IoT–What is it? And does it Matter?” published in the website ONiO.Zero, battery-less IoT is not going anywhere any time soon, CIDR Project 4 also benefits the scientific and technological advancement with its findings and progress. The achievements of this project Optimizes Energy Harvesting Efficiency–the project develops an advanced power management IC capable of dynamically adjusting to multiple energy sources (light, thermal, RF), contributing to breakthroughs in energy-efficient circuit design.
Accelerates Research in Battery-Free IoT–the findings from this initiative pave the way for next-generation, ultra-low-power electronics, driving further innovations in self-powered sensor networks. Strengthens Microelectronics R&D in Mindanao–as part of MSU-IIT’s CIDR initiative, the project enhances local expertise in microelectronics design, fostering collaborations between academia and industry to advance microelectronics and semiconductor technology in the country.
Transforming Industries Through Energy Harvesting
Specifically, in the industry field, impacts of CIDR Project 4 include reducing operational cost–by eliminating battery replacements, businesses deploying large-scale IoT networks (e.g., smart agriculture, industrial monitoring, and environmental sensing) save significantly on maintenance costs. Supports Scalable Deployment–with self-sustaining power sources, IoT devices can be deployed in remote or hard-to-access locations without the logistical challenges of battery replacement. Encourages Adoption of Energy-Harvesting IP–companies can integrate the project’s power management IC into their own low-power IoT devices, accelerating the commercialization of sustainable technology. Creates New Business Models–beyond licensing the soft IP of the energy harvester design, manufacturers can mass-produce the product, enabling custom energy solutions across different industries.
CIDR Project 4 and its Community Advancements Aspects
Philippines being an agrarian industry, will greatly benefit from the CIDR Project 4 as it offers and Enhances Smart Agriculture– in which reliable, battery-free wireless sensor networks (WSNs) allow farmers to deploy climate and soil monitoring systems without worrying about battery failures or high replacement costs. Improves Resilience in Rural and Off-Grid Areas–the device being developed in the project enables remote monitoring systems in places lacking stable power sources, benefiting communities that rely on precision agriculture, disaster monitoring, and environmental conservation. Promotes Sustainability–eliminating disposable batteries reduces electronic waste, addressing environmental concerns and supporting green energy initiatives.
Advancing Innovation Through Patents
To bridge the gap between laboratory research to industrial employment, the current progress of CIDR Project 4 led to the filing of multiple patents; Charging Circuit for Energy Storage Device (2023), the Multi Source Energy Harvesting Device (2023), and the Multi-Source Time-Division Multiplexing Energy Harvesting Battery-less Power Regulator (2024).
Patents is a vital mechanism for intellectual property rights of developed technologies, but also underscores the the readiness of the developed technologies to a viable path to commercialization–wherein forging partnerships and attracting potential investors and buyers, significantly enhancing the influence and impact of CIDR Project 4.
The progression of the project is a testament that Mindanao has what it takes in keeping up with the advanced technology, particularly in Integrated Circuit designs.
For more information about the project and its progress, visit
* microlab.msuiit.edu.ph
* Youtube Video 1 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B34rJ1buNY )
* Youtube Video 2 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJqpjbcH8MI )
