Notes on initial website setup

Based on initial feedback from many researchers in the field I have made the following decisions on the initial scope of this site. The goal is to make the site and discussion group as broad as possible while maintaining the energy scavenging focus. So, the bibliography contains publications on power scavenging methods, but excludes publications on batteries, fuel cells, and micro-heat engines as these are based on energy reservoirs rather than scavenging energy from the environment. Additionally, solar cells have generally been excluded as there is a well established research network in this area. These are, however, closely related topics and in many instances are complementary. So, I hope researchers in those fields will feel welcome to contribute to the discussion and this site. If you disagree with the scope as I have outlined here, please let me know. We can always make changes.

With regard to the bibliography, I think the list for Vibrations / Kinetic Energy is fairly complete. However, in other areas, I’m certain that it is lacking. So, please send me references of papers that you feel should be included in the bibliography list.

I have sent out emails to quite a number of people that I know are working in this area. However, this is undoubtedly a minority of people working on energy scavenging. So, if you know anyone that working on or interested in energy scavenging research please let them know about the website.

Finally, I have gone back and forth on whether to just have an online discussion thread or to include an email listserv that will send questions and discussion items to those who register for it. On the one hand, we all get too many emails as it is. On the other hand, questions will probably be seen by a greater number of people using email rather than just posting them on the website. For now, I have included an email list. If you are not on the email list and would like to be, email me. Or, if you are on the list and don't want to be, complain to me. I plan to to add a discussion thread facility as well, but haven't got around to it yet.

Shad Roundy

shad.roundy@anu.edu.au