http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Good_vibrations_for_energy_harvesting-article-fapo_ltc_mar2010-html.aspxpin selectable output voltages, 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V and 3.6V, with up to 100mA of continuous output current.
They says it will operate a low power micro processor and micro power transmitter.
I wonder if it could be used for a cell phone. That could be could neat. A phone that is powered by the heat of your hand, perhaps. Or better yet, one that is operated by your voice. Just start screaming at it to place a call. It maybe a hazard for women. I could imagine it becoming permanently embedded in some ones head.
Here is a high-efficiency dc/dc buck converter. They say it can be used for things like:
- Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting
- Electro-Mechanical Energy Harvesting
- Wireless HVAC Sensors
- Mobile Asset Tracking
- Tire Pressure Sensors
- Battery Replacement for Industrial Sensors
- Remote Light Switches
- Standalone Nanopower Buck Regulator
Looks like it starts operation at about 400 mV which is not very spectacular, it would be like a germanium diode bridge. Internal it's regulated at 4.8V above GND.
Features
* 950nA Input Quiescent Current (Output in Regulation – No Load)
* 450nA Input Quiescent Current in UVLO
* 2.7V to 20V Input Operating Range
* Integrated Low-Loss Full-Wave Bridge Rectifier
* Up to 100mA of Output Current
* Selectable Output Voltages of 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V, 3.6V
* High Efficiency Integrated Hysteretic Buck DC/DC
* Input Protective Shunt – Up to 25mA Pull-Down at VIN = 20V
* Wide Input Undervoltage Lockout (UVLO) Range
* Available in 10-Lead MSE and 3mm × 3mm DFN Packages
Here's the web site and PDF.
http://www.linear.com/http://cds.linear.com/docs/Datasheet/35881f.pdf