A battery-free sensor for underwater exploration

Fadel Adib, principal investigator at the Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab (J-WAFS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has developed a battery-free sensor for underwater exploration. Designed to harvest power from radio waves, the sensor can monitor water temperature, pH levels and other environmental factors in real-time, and has the potential to revolutionise ocean exploration by providing researchers with a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to collect data. In particular, the sensor could benefit aquaculture by monitoring water quality and improving fish farming practices. Fadel's research interest is developing innovative technologies and algorithms for wireless perception, networking and sensing. His 2019 J-WAFS funded research project, 'Learning food and water contaminants using wireless signals', developed a sensor that uses wireless signals to determine food quality and contamination levels.