Energy harvesting from electromagnetic interference induced in the human body

Energy harvesting using the human body as an antenna is presented. Low‐frequency interference, mainly in the 40–60 kHz range, was generated from electronic ballast of a fluorescent light. Radiated electromagnetic energy was induced in a human body and a rectifier circuit converted induced energy into DC power. An input matching network of the diode rectifier was designed based on an equivalent source model of interference. A wristband‐type harvesting module comprising a metal electrode designed to be in contact with the human skin was implemented. A power of −8.5 dBm was harvested from the body of a person with a height of 180 cm made to stand 60 cm below a fluorescent light with two 32 W lamps in a hemi‐anechoic chamber. The proposed system can supply energy to the sensors used in body area networks.