Patent Publication Number: US-7211923-B2

Title: Rotational motion based, electrostatic power source and methods thereof

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/280,304 filed Oct. 24, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,590 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/338,163, filed Oct. 26, 2001, which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

   This invention was made with Government support under Grant No. DEFG02-02ER63410.A100, awarded by the Department of Energy on Oct. 1, 2002. The Government has certain rights in the inventions. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to power sources and, more particularly, to an electrostatic based power source and a methods thereof. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There are a growing number of devices which require portable power sources. A variety of different types of portable power sources are available. 
   One of these types of portable power sources is batteries. For most applications batteries provide an adequate source of power. Unfortunately, batteries have finite lifetime and thus require periodic replacement. 
   Another type of portable power source are solar powered systems. Solar power systems also provide an adequate amount of power and provide a recharging mechanism. Unfortunately, the recharging mechanism requires solar radiation, which may not always be available and requires proper orientation to the solar radiation, which may not always be convenient. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A power system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing with a chamber, a member with a stored static electrical charge, and a pair of electrodes. The member is connected to the housing and extends at least partially across the chamber. The pair of electrodes are connected to the housing, are spaced from and on substantially opposing sides of the member from each other, and are at least partially in alignment with each other. The member is movable with respect to the pair of electrodes or one of the pair of electrodes is movable with respect to the member. 
   A method of making a power system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes providing a housing with a chamber, providing a member with a stored static electrical charge, and providing a pair of electrodes connected to the housing. The member is connected to the housing and extends at least partially across the chamber. The pair of electrodes are spaced from and on substantially opposing sides of the member and are at least partially in alignment with each other. The member is movable with respect to the pair of electrodes or one of the pair of electrodes is movable with respect to the member. 
   A method for generating power in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes moving a member with a stored static electrical charge with respect to at least one of a pair of electrodes or one of the pair of electrodes with respect to the member, inducing a potential on the pair of electrodes as a result of the moving, and outputting the induced potential. 
   A power system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a member with two or more sections and at least one pair of electrodes. Each of the two or more sections has a stored static charge. Each of the pair of electrodes is spaced from and on substantially opposing sides of the member from the other electrode and is at least partially in alignment with the other electode. At least one of the member and the at least one pair of electrodes is moveable with respect to the other. When at least one of the sections is at least partially between the pair of electrodes, the at least one of the sections has the stored static electric charge closer to one of the pair of electrodes. When at least one of the other sections is at least partially between the pair of electrodes, the other section has the stored static electric charge closer to the other one of the pair of electrodes. 
   A method of making a power system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes providing a member with two or more sections and providing at least one pair of electrodes. Each of the two or more sections has a stored static charge. Each of the pair of electrodes is spaced from and on substantially opposing sides of the member from the other electrode and is at least partially in alignment with the other electode. At least one of the member and the at least one pair of electrodes is moveable with respect to the other. When at least one of the sections is at least partially between the pair of electrodes, the at least one of the sections has the stored static electric charge closer to one of the pair of electrodes. When at least one of the other sections is at least partially between the pair of electrodes, the other section has the stored static electric charge closer to the other one of the pair of electrodes. 
   A method for generating power in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes moving at least one of a member and at least one pair of electrodes with respect to the other, inducing a potential on the pair electrodes as a result of the moving, and outputting the induced potential. The member comprises two or more sections where each of the sections has a stored static electrical charge. When at least one of the sections is at least partially between the pair of electrodes, the at least one of the sections has the stored static electric charge closer to one of the pair of electrodes. When at least one of the other sections is at least partially between the pair of electrodes, the other section has the stored static electric charge closer to the other one of the pair of electrodes. 
   The present invention provides a power system which is compact, easy to use, and easy to incorporate in designs. This power system is renewable without requiring replacement of the system and without the need for solar radiation or proper orientation to solar radiation. Instead, the present invention is able to effectively extract energy, and hence power, from the sensor local environment. By way of example only, the environment may include local earth ambient, vibrational energy from machines or motion from animals or humans, fluid motion such as wind or waves, manual rotation. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1–10  are side, cross-sectional view of a method for making an electrostatic power source in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a side, cross-sectional view of the electrostatic power source shown in  FIG. 10  coupled to a load; 
       FIG. 12  is a side, cross-sectional view of an electrostatic power source with an electrode in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a side, cross-sectional view of an electrostatic power source with a movable member and base in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a side, cross-sectional view of an electrostatic power source with a movable member and base in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a side, cross-sectional view of an electrostatic power source with a movable member and base in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional diagram of a power system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 17  is a side view of the embedded charge member for the power system shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIG. 18A  is side view of a portion of the embedded charge member shown in  FIG. 17  in a first position between a pair of electrodes; 
       FIG. 18B  is side view of a portion of the embedded charge member shown in  FIG. 17  in a second position between a pair of electrodes; and 
       FIGS. 19A–19D  are side, cross-sectional view of a method for making a power system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A power system  20 ( 1 ) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The power system  20 ( 1 ) includes a housing  22  with a chamber  24 , a member  26 ( 1 ) with a stored static electrical charge, and a pair of electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30 . The present invention provides a power system  20 ( 1 ) which is compact, easy to use, and easy to incorporate in designs. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the housing  22  has an internal chamber  24  and is made of a variety of layers, although other types of supporting structures in other configurations and other numbers of layers, such as one or more, made of other materials can be used. The size of the housing  22  and of the chamber  24  can vary as required by the particular application. 
   The member  26 ( 1 ) extends across the chamber  24  and is connected on opposing sides to an inner wall of the housing  22 , although other arrangements can be used, such as having the member  26 ( 1 ) secured at along one end or edge with the another end or edge space from the inner wall of the chamber  24  or connected on all sides or edges to the inner wall of the chamber  24  like a diaphragm. Each of the first and second electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  is initially spaced substantially the same distance from the member  26 ( 1 ), although other configurations can be used. The chamber  24  is sealed with a fluid, such as air, although other types of fluids and/or materials can be used or the chamber or the chamber can be sealed in a vacuum. The position of the member  26 ( 1 ) can be altered as a result of a movement of power system  20 ( 1 ), although other configurations can be used, such as having the member  26 ( 1 ) being fixed and one of the pair of electrodes  28 ( 2 ) whose position can be altered as a result of a movement of power system  20 ( 2 ) as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
   The member  26 ( 1 ) can store a fixed static electrical charge, although member  26 ( 1 ) can store other types of charge, such as a floating electrical charge. The member  26 ( 1 ) has a pair of dissimilar layers  32  and  36  of dielectric material, such as silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, tantalum pentoxide, titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, barium strontium titanium oxide, calcium fluoride, and magnesium fluoride, although other types of and combinations of materials which can hold a charge and other numbers of layers, such as a member  26 ( 2 ) with one layer  37  as shown in  FIG. 12  or three or more layers can be used. The layers  32  and  36  are seated against each other along an interface  34  were the static electrical charge is stored. The member  26 ( 1 ) can hold a fixed charge along the interface on the order of at least 1×10 10  charges/cm 2  and forms a structure with a monopole charge, such as electrons, at the interface. In this particular embodiment, a negative charge from the electrons is stored at the interface, although other arrangements could be used. 
   The pair of electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  are located in the inner walls of the housing  22  in chamber  24 , although other configurations for connecting the pair of electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  to the housing  22  can be used, such as having each of the first and second electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  located in the inner wall of the housing  22  and spaced from the chamber  24  by one or more layers of material, such as an insulating material, or by having each of the first and second electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  seated on the inner walls of the housing  22  in the chamber  24 . The first and second electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  are in substantial alignment with each other and are spaced from and located on a substantially opposing sides of the member  26 ( 1 ), although other configurations can be used. By way of example only, the distance between each of the pair of electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  is about 1.0 microns, although this distance can vary. Depending on the material and/or fluid in the chamber  24 , such as air or a vacuum, the electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  will be spaced different distances from the member  26 ( 1 ). In this particular embodiment, this spacing is determined so that the electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  with respect to the member  26 ( 1 ) have equal amounts of induced electrical charge at an initial state, although other arrangements can be used. 
   A load  38 , such as a cell phone or a pager, is coupled to the pair of electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30 , although other types of devices can be coupled to the electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30 , such as a device which uses and/or stores the generated power. 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , a power system  20 ( 2 ) in accordance with another embodiment is shown. Elements in  FIG. 12  which are like elements shown and described in  FIGS. 1–11  will have like numbers and will not be shown and described in detail again here. The member  26 ( 2 ) comprises a single layer  37  of dielectric material, such as silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, tantalum pentoxide, titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, barium strontium titanium oxide, calcium fluoride, and magnesium fluoride, in which the static electrical charge is held, although the member  26 ( 2 ) can have other numbers of layers. The member  26 ( 2 ) extends across the chamber  24  and is connected on opposing sides to an inner wall of the housing  22 , although other arrangements can be used, such as having the member  26 ( 2 ) secured at along one end or edge with the another end or edge space from the inner wall of the chamber  24 . The position of one of the pair of electrodes  30  with respect to the member  26 ( 2 ) is fixed and the position of the other one of the electrodes  28 ( 2 ) with respect to the member  20 ( 2 ) can be altered as a result of a movement of power system  20 ( 2 ), although other configurations can be used. The space in chamber  24  between member  26 ( 2 ) and electrode  30  is filled with a layer of dielectric material, although the space could be filled with other fluids and/or materials, such as air or a vacuum could be used. 
   A resilient device  40 , such as a spring or a resilient material, is provided between the member  26 ( 2 ) and the electrode  28 ( 2 ), although the space between the member  26 ( 2 ) and electrodes  28 ( 2 ) and  30  can be filled with other types of resilient devices or materials. The resilient device  40  is used to move the electrode  28 ( 2 ) back to an initial position when the electrode  28 ( 2 ) has been moved as a result of some other movement. 
   A load  38 , such as a cell phone or a pager, is coupled to the pair of electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30 , although other types of devices can be coupled to the electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30 , such as a device which uses and/or stores the generated power. 
   By way of example only, the power system  20 ( 2 ) could be incorporated in a variety of devices, such as in a heel of a boot. The electrode  28 ( 1 ) may be located in the sole of the boot and would be pushed towards the member  26 ( 1 ) every time a step was taken. When the sole of the boot was lifted off the ground, then the resilient devices  40 ( 1 )– 40 ( 4 ) would push the electrode  28 ( 1 ) back away from the electrode  26 ( 1 ). As a result, the power system  20 ( 2 ) could generate power as someone was walking for a variety of different types of devices. 
   Referring to  FIG. 13 , a power system  20 ( 3 ) in accordance with another embodiment is shown. Elements in  FIG. 13  which are like elements shown and described in  FIGS. 1–11  will have like numbers and will not be shown and described in detail again here. In this particular embodiment, the electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  are connected to the housing  22 , member  26 ( 1 ) is connected to a substrate  42  with supports  39 ( 1 ) and  39 ( 2 ), resilient devices  40 ( 5 )– 40 ( 7 ), such as springs, are coupled between electrode  28 ( 1 ) and substrate  30 , and resilient devices  40 ( 8 ) and  40 ( 9 ), such as springs, are connected between electrode  30  and member  26 ( 1 ), although other configurations, materials, and devices can be used. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , a power system  20 ( 4 ) in accordance with another embodiment is shown. Elements in  FIG. 14  which are like elements shown and described in  FIGS. 1–11  will have like numbers and will not be shown and described in detail again here. In this particular embodiment, an insulating material  51  is between and connects electrode  30  and member  26 ( 1 ) and resilient devices  40 ( 10 ) and  40 ( 11 ) are coupled between electrode  30  and substrate  42 , although other configurations, materials, and devices can be used. 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , a power system  20 ( 5 ) in accordance with another embodiment is shown. Elements in  FIG. 15  which are like elements shown and described in  FIGS. 1–11  will have like numbers and will not be shown and described in detail again here. In this particular embodiment, an insulating material  51  is between electrode  30  and member  26 ( 1 ) and at one end the member  30  is pivotally connected at a pivotal connection  55  to the housing  22 , although other configurations, materials, and devices can be used. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 16–18B , a power system  20 ( 6 ) in accordance with another embodiment is illustrated. A propeller  60  is seated on one portion of a rotatable shaft  62  and a member  26 ( 3 ) seated on another portion of the shaft  62 , although other types of components, such as another device which could rotate or move the member  26 ( 3 ) with or without a shaft  62  in response to the motion of a fluid or by manual rotation or a rotation or movement of the electrodes  64 ( 1 ) and  64 ( 2 ) with respect to the member  26 ( 3 ), in other arrangements could be used. When a fluid, such as air or water, strikes the propeller  60 , the propeller begins to rotate which causes the shaft  62 . The rotation of the shaft  62  rotates the member  26 ( 3 ) through the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ). 
   The member  26 ( 3 ) has a substantially circular shape and has a substantially uniform thickness, although the member  26 ( 3 ) could have other shapes and thicknesses. The member  26 ( 3 ) is also divided into four section  69 ( 1 )– 69 ( 4 ) which are each substantially the same size, although the member  26 ( 3 ) could have other configurations, such as greater or lesser numbers of sections. Each of the sections  69 ( 1 )– 69 ( 4 ) has a first insulating layer  66 , such as SiO 2  by way of example only, seated on second insulating layers  70 ( 1 ) and  70 ( 2 ), such as Si 3 N 4  by way of example only, with an interface  68 ( 1 ) between the layers  66  and  70 ( 1 ) and an interface  68 ( 2 ) between layers  66  and  70 ( 2 ). The thickness of the first insulating layer  66  is greater than the thickness of each of the second insulating layers  70 ( 1 ) and  70 ( 2 ) so the interface  68  is closer to the outer surface of each of the second insulating layers  70 ( 1 ) and  70 ( 2 ) than to the outer surface of the first insulating layer  66 , although other configurations could be used. The sections  69 ( 1 ) and  69 ( 3 ) are substantially the same and have the first insulating layer  66  facing the electrode  64 ( 2 ) and the second insulating layer  70 ( 1 ) facing the electrode  64 ( 1 ) when the sections rotate through the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ). The sections  69 ( 2 ) and  69 ( 4 ) are substantially the same and have the second insulating layer  70 ( 2 ) facing the electrode  64 ( 2 ) and the first insulating layer  66  facing the electrode  64 ( 1 ) when the sections rotate through the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ). The layer  66  and layer  70 ( 1 ) comprises a pair of dissimilar insulators and the layer  66  and layer  70 ( 2 ) also comprises a pair of dissimilar insulators. Each of the layers  66  and  70  is made of a dielectric material, such as silicon oxide, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, tantalum oxide, tantalum pentoxide, titanium oxide, titanium dioxide, barium strontium titanium oxide, calcium fluoride, and magnesium fluoride, although other types of materials which can hold a charge and other numbers of layers for member  26 ( 3 ) can be used. 
   The member  26 ( 3 ) can store a fixed static electrical charge at the interfaces  68 ( 1 ) and  68 ( 2 ), although member  26 ( 3 ) can store other types of charge, such as a floating electrical charge. More specifically, the member  26 ( 3 ) can hold a fixed charge on the order of at least 1×10 10  charges/cm 2 . The member  26 ( 3 ) forms a structure with a monopole charge, such as electrons, stored at the interface  68 ( 1 ) between layers  66  and  70 ( 1 ) and at the interface  68 ( 2 ) between layers  66  and  70 ( 2 ), although other arrangements could be used. 
   Electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ) are positioned on opposing sides of member  26 ( 3 ), are substantially in alignment, and spaced substantially the same distance from the member  26 ( 3 ), although other numbers of pairs of electrodes could be used and the electrodes could be arranged in other configurations. By way of example only, the distance between each of the pair of electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ) from the member  26 ( 3 ) is about 1.0 mm, although this distance can vary. Depending on which of the sections  69 ( 1 )– 69 ( 4 ) is between the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ), the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ) will be spaced different distances from the interfaces  68 ( 1 ) and  68 ( 2 ) in the member  26 ( 3 ) where the stored, fixed, static, monopole charge resides. 
   A load  38  is coupled to the pair of electrodes  64 ( 1 ) and  64 ( 2 ), although other types of devices can be coupled to the electrodes  64 ( 1 ) and  64 ( 2 ), such as a device which uses and/or stores the generated power. 
   A method for making a power system  20 ( 1 ) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1–11 . To make a power system  20 ( 1 ) a suitable substrate  42 , such as silicon oxide on silicon, is provided as shown in  FIG. 1 , although other types of materials could be used. A first trench  44  is formed in the substrate  42  and the first trench  44  is filled with a first conductive layer  46 , such as aluminum, although other types of materials could be used. The first conductive layer  46  may be planarized so that only the first trench  44  is filled with the first conductive layer  46 . By way of example, this may be done by standard chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processing, although other techniques can be used. The resulting first conductive layer  46  in the first trench  44  forms the first electrode  28 ( 1 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a first insulating layer  48 , such as silicon dioxide, is deposited on the first conductive layer  46  and a portion of the substrate  42 , although other types of materials could be used. A second trench  50  is formed in the first insulating layer  48  which is at least in partial alignment with the first electrode  28 ( 1 ). The second trench  50  is etched to the surface of the first electrode  28 ( 1 ), although other configurations can be used, such as leaving a portion of the first insulating layer  48  over the first electrode  28 ( 1 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the second trench  50  is filled with a first sacrificial layer  52 , such as polysilicon, although other types of materials can be used, and the first sacrificial layer  52  may be planarized. By way of example, the planarizing of the first sacrificial layer  52  may be done by standard CMP processing, although other techniques can be used. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , a member  26 ( 1 ) which can store a fixed electronic charge is deposited on a portion of the first insulating layer  48  and the first sacrificial material  52 . The member  26 ( 1 ) has two layers  32  and  36  of insulating material, such as silicon oxide and silicon nitride, and silicon oxide and aluminum oxide, and an interface  34  between the layers  32  and  36 , although other combination of materials that can store fixed charge can be deposited as the member  26 ( 1 ) and other numbers of layers can be used. Additionally, the member  26 ( 1 ) may comprise other numbers of layers of material, such as a member  26 ( 2 ) with a single layer  37  shown in  FIG. 12  or multiple layers. For example, a tri-layer of silicon oxide—silicon nitride—silicon oxide may be used. The member  26 ( 1 ) can move towards and away from the first electrode  28 ( 1 ) and the second electrode  30 , although other arrangements can be used, such as shown in  FIG. 12  where the member  26 ( 2 ) is fixed with respect to one of the electrodes  30  and one of the electrodes  28 ( 2 ) can move with respect to member  26 ( 2 ) and the other electrode  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , electronic charge is injected into the member  26 ( 1 ). A variety of techniques for injecting charge can be used, such as a low to medium energy ballistic electron source or by utilizing a sacrificial conductive layer (not shown) disposed on top of the member  26 ( 1 ) and subsequently applying an electric field sufficient to inject electrons into the member  26 ( 1 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , a second insulating layer  54 , such as silicon dioxide, is deposited on the member  26 ( 1 ), although other types of materials can be used. Next, a third trench  56  is etched in the second insulating layer  54  to the member  26 ( 1 ), although the third trench  56  can be etched to other depths. The third trench  56  is in substantial alignment with the second trench  50 , although other arrangements can be used as long as the third trench  56  is at least in partial alignment with the second trench  50 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , the third trench  56  is filled with a second sacrificial material  58 , such as polysilicon, although other types of material can be used. The second sacrificial material  58  may be planarized. 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , a second conductive layer  60 , such as aluminum, is deposited on at least a portion of the second insulating layer  54  and the second sacrificial material  58 , although other types of materials can be used. The second conductive layer  60  forms the second electrode  30  in this embodiment. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , a third insulating layer  62 , such as silicon dioxide, is deposited over at least a portion of the second insulating layer  54  and the second electrode  30  to encapsulate the second electrode  30 , although other types of materials can be used. 
   Next, holes or vias (not shown) are etched to the first and second electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  to provide contact points and are also etched to provide access to the first and second sacrificial layers  52  and  58 . The first and second sacrificial materials  52  and  58  are removed through the hole(s). A variety of techniques can be used to remove the sacrificial materials  52  and  58 . For example, if the sacrificial material is polysilicon, the etchant may be xenon difluoride. Removing the first sacrificial material  52  forms a first compartment and removing the second sacrificial material  58  forms a second compartment in chamber  24 . The chamber  24  with first and compartment may be filled with a variety of different types of fluids and/or materials, such as air or may be in a vacuum. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the resulting power system  20 ( 1 ) is shown. A load  38  is coupled to the first and second electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30 , although other types of devices could be coupled to the electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30 . 
   The method for making the power system  20 ( 2 ) shown in  FIG. 12  is the same as the method described for making the power system  20 ( 2 ) as described with reference to  FIGS. 1–11 , except as described below. In this particular embodiment, in  FIG. 3  the second trench  50  is filled with a first resilient layer  60 , such as a foam, although other numbers of layers and other materials and/or fluids could be used and the second trench may also be filled with other types of devices, such as one or more mechanical springs. The first resistant layer  60  is etched to form resilient devices  62 ( 1 )– 62 ( 4 ), although the resilient devices can be formed in other manners, such as by inserting mechanical springs in the second trench  50 . The trenches or openings between the resilient devices  62 ( 1 )– 62 ( 4 ) is filled with the first sacrificial material  52  and may be planarized, although other types of materials could be used. By way of example, the planarizing of the first sacrificial layer  52  may be done by standard CMP processing, although other techniques can be used. 
   Additionally in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , a member  26 ( 2 ) which can store a fixed electronic charge is deposited on a portion of the first insulating layer  48  and the first sacrificial material  52 . In this particular embodiment, the member  26 ( 2 ) comprises a single layer  37  that can store fixed charge, although member  26 ( 2 ) may comprise other numbers of layers of material. In this particular embodiment, the member  26 ( 2 ) is fixed with respect to one of the electrodes  30 . 
   Further, in this particular embodiment, the substrate  42  is removed from the first electrode  28 ( 2 ). The first electrode  28 ( 2 ) can move to member  26 ( 2 ) and the other electrode  30 . 
   The method for making the power system  20 ( 3 ) shown in  FIG. 13  is the same as the method described for making the power system  20 ( 1 ) as described with reference to  FIGS. 1–11 , except as described below. In this particular embodiment, supports  39 ( 1 ) and  39 ( 2 ) are placed between member  26 ( 1 ) and substrate  42 , resilient devices  40 ( 5 )– 40 ( 7 ) are placed between electrode  28 ( 1 ) and substrate  30 , and resilient devices  40 ( 8 ) and  40 ( 9 ) are placed between electrode  30  and member  26 ( 1 ), although other configurations, materials, and devices can be used. 
   The method for making the power system  20 ( 4 ) shown in  FIG. 14  is the same as the method described for making the power system  20 ( 1 ) as described with reference to  FIGS. 1–11 , except as described below. In this particular embodiment, an insulating material  51  is placed between electrode  30  and member  26 ( 1 ) in chamber  24  and resilient devices  40 ( 10 ) and  40 ( 11 ) are placed between and connect electrode  30  and substrate  42 , although other configurations, materials, and devices can be used. 
   The method for making the power system  20 ( 5 ) shown in  FIG. 15  is the same as the method described for making the power system  20 ( 1 ) as described with reference to  FIGS. 1–11 , except as described below. In this particular embodiment, an insulating material  51  is placed between and connects electrode  30  and member  26 ( 1 ) and electrode  28 ( 1 ) is pivotally connected at one end to the housing  22 , although other configurations, materials, and devices can be used. 
   A method for making a power system  20 ( 6 ) in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 16–19(D) . To make a power system  20 ( 6 ) the propeller  60  is seated on one portion of the rotatable shaft  62  and the member  26 ( 3 ) is seated on another portion of the shaft  62  so that when the propeller  60  rotates, the shaft  62  is rotated which rotates the member  26 ( 3 ), although power system  20 ( 6 ) can be made in other manners with other components, such as with other types of devices for transferring motion to the member  26 ( 3 ) and/or the electrodes  64 ( 1 ) and  64 ( 2 ) and with or without the shaft  62 . 
   The electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ) are positioned on opposing sides of member  26 ( 3 ) so that the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ) are substantially in alignment and are spaced substantially the same distance from the member  26 ( 3 ), although other configurations can be used. By way of example only, the distance between each of the pair of electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ) and the member  26 ( 3 ) is about 1.0 mm, although this distance can vary. 
   The load  38  is coupled to the pair of electrodes  64 ( 1 ) and  64 ( 2 ), although other types of devices can be coupled to the electrodes  64 ( 1 ) and  64 ( 2 ), such as a device which uses and/or stores the generated power. 
   The method for making the member  26 ( 3 ) is illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 19(A)–19(D) . Referring to  FIG. 19A , second insulating layers  70 ( 1 ) and  70 ( 2 ), such as Si 3 Ni 4 , are deposited on a first insulating layer or substrate  66 , such as SiO 2 . A variety of different types of techniques for depositing the second insulating layers  70 ( 1 ) and  70 ( 2 ) on to the first insulating layer  66  can be used, such as chemical vapor deposition or sputtering, although other techniques could be used. 
   Referring to  FIG. 19B , a portion of the second insulating layer  70 ( 1 ) is removed from first insulating layer  66  by masking and etching the portion of second insulating layer  70 ( 1 ) away, although other techniques for removing the portion of second insulting layer  70 ( 1 ) or otherwise forming the remaining portion of second insulating layer  70 ( 1 ) could be used. Another portion of second insulating layer  70 ( 2 ) which is spaced from the remaining portion of the first insulating layer  70 ( 1 ) on the opposing surface of first insulating layer  66  is removed by masking and etching from first insulating layer  66 , although other techniques for removing the portion of second insulting layer  70 ( 2 ) or otherwise forming the remaining portion of second insulating layer  70 ( 2 ) could also be used. 
   Referring to  FIG. 19C , temporary electrodes  100 ( 1 ) and  100 ( 2 ) are placed on opposing sides of member  26 ( 3 ) on second insulating layer  70 ( 1 ) and first insulating layer  66 , respectively, and in substantial alignment with the interface  68 ( 1 ) where the charge will be stored. A high voltage is applied across the electrodes  100 ( 1 ) and  100 ( 2 ) which causes electrons to tunnel into the conduction band of the first insulating layer  66  and will eventually be trapped at the interface  68 ( 1 ). Although a high field injection is shown for trapping charge at the interface  68 ( 1 ), other techniques for storing charge at the interface  68 ( 1 ) can be used, such as ballistic injection. Although not shown, charge is also stored in interface  68 ( 2 ) in the same manner using temporary electrodes  100 ( 1 ) and  100 ( 2 ) on first and second insulating layers  66  and  70 ( 2 ), respectively, although other techniques for storing charge at the interface  68 ( 2 ) could be used. Once the charge is trapped at the interfaces  68 ( 1 ) and  68 ( 2 ), the temporary electrodes  100 ( 1 ) and  100 ( 2 ) are removed and the resulting member  26 ( 3 ) is illustrated in  FIG. 19(D) . The member  26 ( 3 ) forms a structure with a monopole charge with the charges, in this example electrons, trapped at the interfaces  68 ( 1 ) and  68 ( 2 ). 
   The operation of the power system  20 ( 1 ) in accordance with one embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In this particular embodiment, the member  26 ( 1 ) has a natural resonant frequency. Any vibrational or shock input, such as from the local environment, will cause the member  26 ( 1 ) to oscillate. When the member  26 ( 1 ) is nearest to the first electrode  28 ( 1 ), the portion of induced opposite sign charge on the first electrode  28 ( 1 ) will be greater than on the second electrode  30 . When the member  26 ( 1 ) is nearest the second electrode  30 , the induced opposite sign charge on the second electrode  30  will be greater than on the first electrode  28 ( 1 ). When the first and second electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  are connected to a load  38 , useful energy can be extracted as the charge-storing member oscillates. By way of example only, if the power system  20 ( 1 ) was in a shoe, then as the wearer of the shoe walked or moved the vibrations would be converted to useful energy that could be output to power a load  38 . 
   The output from the first and second electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  may be post processed if desired. For example, if the time varying potential is to be used to charge a capacitor, a rectifying system together with a diode may be chosen that will break down above the output potential difference level, thus allowing charging of the capacitor, but not discharging back through the system. In another application, a voltage regulator may be used to process the time varying potential difference. In still another application, a full wave rectifier may be used to convert the time varying potential difference to direct current. Also, other components, such as capacitors, may be used to smooth DC voltage ripples in the generated power. 
   The operation of the power system  20 ( 2 ) is the same as that for the power system  20 ( 1 ), except as described herein. The member  26 ( 2 ) is fixed with respect to the electrode  30  and the electrode  28 ( 2 ) can be moved toward and away from member  26 ( 2 ), although other configurations are possible. Any vibrational input, such as from the local environment, will cause the member electrode  28 ( 2 ) to oscillate or move. The resilient devices are used to control the oscillation of the electrode  28 ( 2 ) and when the vibrational input stops, eventually returns the electrode  28 ( 2 ) to its initial state. When the member  26 ( 2 ) is nearest to the first electrode  28 ( 2 ), the portion of induced opposite sign charge on the first electrode  28 ( 2 ) will be greater than on the second electrode  30 . When the member  26 ( 2 ) is nearest the second electrode  30 , the induced opposite sign charge on the second electrode  30  will be greater than on the first electrode  28 ( 2 ). When the first and second electrodes  28 ( 2 ) and  30  are connected to a load  38 , useful energy can be extracted as the electrode  28 ( 2 ) moves with respect to member  26 ( 2 ). 
   The operation of the power system  20 ( 3 ) shown in  FIG. 13  is the same as that for the power system  20 ( 1 ), except as described herein. With the resilient devices  40 ( 5 )– 40 ( 9 ), the member  26 ( 1 ) and the substrate  42  are movable with respect to the electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30 , although other ways of moving member  26 ( 1 ) and electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  with respect to each other can be used. Any vibrational input will cause member  26 ( 1 ) and substrate  42  to oscillate or move which generates a potential difference on electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  that can be extracted as useful energy as described in greater detail above with reference to power systems  20 ( 1 ) and  20 ( 2 ). 
   The operation of the power system  20 ( 4 ) shown in  FIG. 14  is the same as that for the power system  20 ( 1 ), except as described herein. With the resilient devices  40 ( 10 )– 40 ( 11 ), the electrode  28 ( 1 ) is movable with respect to the member  26 ( 1 ) and substrate  42 , although other ways of moving member  26 ( 1 ) and electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  with respect to each other can be used. Any vibrational input will cause electrode  28 ( 1 ) to oscillate or move which generates a potential difference on electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  that can be extracted as useful energy as described in greater detail above with reference to power systems  20 ( 1 ) and  20 ( 2 ). 
   The operation of the power system  20 ( 5 ) shown in  FIG. 15  is the same as that for the power system  20 ( 1 ), except as described herein. Any vibrational input will cause electrode  28 ( 1 ) to oscillate or move which generates a potential difference on electrodes  28 ( 1 ) and  30  which can be extracted as useful energy as described in greater detail above with reference to power systems  20 ( 1 ) and  20 ( 2 ). 
   The operation of the power system  20 ( 6 ) in accordance with another embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 16–18(B) . When a fluid, such as air or water, strikes the propeller  60 , the propeller  60  rotates which rotates the shaft  62  in a clockwise direction, although the propeller  60  and shaft  62  can be rotated in the opposing direction. Rotating the shaft  62  rotates the member  26 ( 3 ) in a clockwise direction so that the sections  69 ( 1 )– 69 ( 4 ) are sequentially rotated between the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ), although the member  26 ( 3 ) can be rotated in the opposing direction and through other numbers of pairs of electrodes and the member  26 ( 3 ) can be rotated or moved in other manners, such as by manual motion with a hand crank, and without the shaft. 
   As the sections  69 ( 1 )– 69 ( 4 ) pass between the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ) or vice versa, the interfaces  68 ( 1 ) or  68 ( 2 ) in sections  69 ( 1 )– 69 ( 4 ) where the stored fixed static charge resides are closer to either electrode  64 ( 1 ) or to electrode  64 ( 2 ) which induces a change in potential between the pair of electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ). More specifically, when sections  69 ( 1 ) and  69 ( 3 ) are between the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ), then the interface  68 ( 1 ) in the sections  69 ( 1 ) and  69 ( 3 ) where the stored fixed static charge resides is closer to the electrode  64 ( 1 ). When sections  69 ( 2 ) and  69 ( 4 ) are between the electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ), then the interface  68 ( 2 ) in the sections  69 ( 2 ) and  69 ( 4 ) where the stored fixed static charge resides is closer to the electrode  64 ( 2 ). Although four sections  69 ( 1 )– 69 ( 4 ) are shown, the power system  20 ( 6 ) can have more or fewer sections. The induced potential between electrodes  64 ( 1 )– 64 ( 2 ) can be output to a device, such as a load  38  or a power storage device. 
   Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a renewing power source or supply, energy harvester, or energy generator. The present invention uses embedded static charge in a member in a resonating or otherwise moving structure to provide a power source for devices. Energy is effectively extracted from the local environment from a displacement current caused by the embedded charge member&#39;s and/or one or more of the electrodes movement due to movement of the embedded charge member, such as natural vibrations or shocks from the local surroundings, manual movement, e.g. with a hand crank, or wind, water, or other fluid movement. 
   Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will be rather apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefor, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.