RF-based charging specialist Energous and CO2 sensor manufacturer Sensirion are collaborating to develop maintenance-free CO2 sensors powered wirelessly over the air for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in industrial and commercial environments. The collaboration will combine Energous’ wireless power transfer technology and Sensirion’s CO2 sensors to improve IAQ and increase building energy efficiency through better HVAC management. This will remove the need for battery maintenance of air quality monitors by providing power wirelessly over-the-air.

“CO2 sensors are being deployed in larger numbers in both industrial and commercial settings but are often located far away from central power sources and in locations that are hard to reach, limiting their ability to effectively monitor air quality,” said Cesar Johnston, CEO of Energous. “Removing the need to replace batteries in CO2 sensors enables maintenance-free deployments and solves one of the main challenges facing the industrial IoT landscape. We are excited to announce our collaboration with Sensirion to develop a CO2 sensors solution that is wirelessly powered over-the-air.”

Headquartered in Stäfa, Switzerland, Sensirion manufactures digital microsensors and systems, including gas and liquid flow sensors, differential pressure sensors and environmental sensors for the measurement of humidity and temperature, volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5). Sensirion’s air quality sensor portfolio measures various facets of IAQ. The company says its sensors have reduced petroleum consumption by 1.5 million tons in 2019, and are able to reduce a building’s energy consumption by 10%.

“Energous WattUp technology enables wireless power transmission with minimal size and maximum power and cost efficiency while our Sensirion PASens technology enables miniaturised and cost-effective CO2 measurement without compromising sensor performance,” said Johannes Winkelmann, Product Director Developer Experience of Sensirion. “We’re excited for this collaboration to help solve a critical challenge in the CO2 sensor market and help improve IAQ and increase building energy efficiency for industrial and commercial applications.”