MicroGen Systems

Tim Dobson, Andrew Heairet, Tirumalai Tejas

•  Converts mechanical vibration to electrical energy

•  Stored for later use using energy harvesting boards with advanced thin-film batteries or ultra-capacitors

•  Used for wireless sensors, traditionally battery-powered applications o  Examples: lighting control, smart utility metering o  Replace or extend the life of batteries

•  Select technical specifications o  Size = 12.5 x 10.8 x 10.0 mm o  Peak power output = 100 µW o  Open circuit voltage (AC) = 14 V o  Standard frequency = 120 Hz o  Weight < 5g

•  Microscale technology is o  Functional at lower frequency, smaller, lighter

Product - Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters

Industry Value Chain

•  Wireless sensors can be used in various industries, eg: automotive, industrial, civil infrastructure, consumer electronics

•  Regardless of the ultimate application, sensors need power and must communicate with other components (controller/hub/gateway/other sensors in network)

•  Part of the telecommunications industry •  Exclusively in design, agreement with large electronics foundry for manufacturing

PVC Diagram •  Depend on manufacturing

partner X-FAB •  Device uses Aluminum

Nitride, so access to raw materials is a risk

•  Product part of a larger system, i.e. wireless sensor, so revenue strongly coupled to customer’s revenue

•  Need marketing, sales channels

•  Good networks with TI, Eastman Kodak, Cornell

•  Skilled in MEMS research and design

Investability Diagram •  Cons

o  Market dominated by large battery suppliers

o  Design infrastructure built around batteries and their output; competitors/customers wary of disruptive changes

o  MEMS still a young industry (~1990) – unproven, risks

o  Many Univs engaged in similar research, not that specialized

o  Kionix – comparable exit proxy, gyroscope MEMS §  1st investment in 2002 §  Sold in 2009 for $233 million §  Investors did not hit target IRR

•  Pros o  MicroGen devices last 20 years whereas

standard batteries last 1-3 years, opening new sales opportunities for MicroGen

• Continue to bootstrap company for several years

• Needs several years of showing sales with the $4.3 million they have now to see if any market potential

• Downside to not investing in company now is that may have a missed opportunity to get in early, but learn from Kionix example

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