CHENGDU: A Chinese scientists’ group at Southwest Jiaotong University designed a zero-energy smart ranch with wearable sensors fully powered by the movements of cattle.
The journal iScience published the study on Friday.
the scientists designed smart devices on cows that catch the motile energy generated by their tiny movements and then use it to power the ranch.
They fitted tiny sensory devices around cows’ necks and ankles to catch the motile energy of the animals and store it in supercapacitors or lithium batteries through a rectifier.
Zhang Zutao, the co-author of the study said that the group has designed a motion-boosting mechanism that uses a pendulum and magnets to augment the tiny movements of the cows.
Chinese scientists’ work will prevent diseases and improve breeding efficiency in animals
Chinese Design Zero-energy for Cattle
The study says that the harvester can ensure a sustainable energy supply for wearable sensors on cows. The sensors can also be powered when the cows are doing the limited movement or even not moving.
Another co-author Pan Yajia said that the mechanism will provide information that will help in preventing diseases and improving pasture breeding efficiency and management.
She said that this information can include air temperature and humidity, oxygen concentration, diseases, reproductive cycles, milk production, diseases and amount of exercise. –APP/ Xinhua
