Low-energy Applications Research Articles

Cellular Internet of Things: Principles, Potentials and Use Cases

Internet of things (IoT) can either be deployed over existing cellular networks or their own custom-built standalone networks. Based on the infrastructure, IoT can be classified into two types: cellular and non-cellular categories. In the cellular form, IoT network needs the support of cellular infrastructure of the mobile service providers. Currently, three forms of cellular IoT are being deployed across the world. They are: narrowband Internet of things (NBIoT), extended coverage GSM (EC-GSM) and long term evolution for machines (LTE-M). Out of these three, NBIoT and EC-GSM are low energy and low resource consuming versions of cellular IoT. They need narrow bandwidths for their operations. Their energy consumption is also very low and thus suitable for low energy applications. Both NBIoT and EC-GSM are compatible with all types of cellular communication infrastructure such as 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G. They can cover a large area with a very small amount of power. Both these forms are popular low power wide area (LPWA) technologies. Due to their LPWA features, they are popular for the connected living applications at home and workplace surroundings. Their LPWA features make them popular green technology for digital transformation. LTE-M uses comparatively larger bandwidth and higher power. It is suitable for higher bandwidth and higher data rate applications. We survey the recent literature on cellular IoT and present their key principles, potentials and applications. We provide their main characteristics, deployment options, standards, and some specific applications in different sectors.

Transport in a Two-Channel Nanotransistor Device with Lateral Resonant Tunneling.

We study field effect nanotransistor devices in the Si/SiO2 material system which are based on lateral resonant tunneling between two parallel conduction channels. After introducing a simple piecewise linear potential model, we calculate the quantum transport properties in the R-matrix approach. In the transfer characteristics, we find a narrow resonant tunneling peak around zero control voltage. Such a narrow resonant tunneling peak allows one to switch the drain current with small control voltages, thus opening the way to low-energy applications. In contrast to similar double electron layer tunneling transistors that have been studied previously in III-V material systems with much larger channel lengths, the resonant tunneling peak in the drain current is found to persist at room temperature. We employ the R-matrix method in an effective approximation for planar systems and compare the analytical results with full numerical calculations. This provides a basic understanding of the inner processes pertaining to lateral tunneling transport.

Impacts of the calcinated clay on structure and gamma-ray shielding capacity of epoxy-based composites

Abstract The current work aims to develop a new composite-based epoxy doped with calcinated clay for low and intermediate gamma-ray energy applications. The increased calcinated clay material concentration between 0 and 60 wt% enhances the constructed composites by 21.07%, from 1.139 ± 0.011 to 1.379 ± 0.013 g·cm−3. Moreover, new bonds have appeared in Fourier transform infrared analyses of fabricated composites, which confirm the diffusion and interactions between the calcinated clay material and epoxy resin. Furthermore, the impacts of the calcinated clay on the gamma-ray shielding properties were examined experimentally using the NaI (Tl) detector over an energy interval changing from 33 to 1,408 keV. The experimental examinations depict that the addition of calcinated clay with concentrations between 0 and 60 wt% enhances the developed composites’ linear attenuation coefficient by 67.9%, 24.5%, 35.9%, and 46.0% at gamma-ray energies of 81, 662, 1,275, and 1,408 keV, respectively. The improvement in the linear attenuation coefficient leads to a decrease in the required half-value layer for each composite, where it decreased between 4.82–3.87 cm (at 662 keV) and 7.63–5.22 cm (at 1,408 keV).

Self-architectural knowledge distillation for spiking neural networks

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) have attracted attention due to their biological plausibility and the potential for low-energy applications on neuromorphic hardware. Two mainstream approaches are commonly used to obtain SNNs, i.e., ANN-to-SNN conversion methods, and Directly-trained-SNN methods. However, the former achieve excellent performance at the cost of a large number of time steps (i.e., latency), while the latter exhibit lower latency but suffers from suboptimal performance. To tackle the performance-latency trade-off, we propose Self-Architectural Knowledge Distillation (SAKD), an intuitive and effective method for SNNs leveraging Knowledge Distillation (KD). We adopt a bilevel teacher–student training strategy in SAKD, i.e., level-1 involves directly transferring same-architectural pre-trained ANN weights to SNNs, and level-2 encourages the SNNs to mimic ANN’s behavior, considering both final responses and intermediate features aspects. Learning with informative supervision signals fostered by labels and ANNs, our SAKD achieves new state-of-the-art (SOTA) performance with a few time steps on widely-used classification benchmark datasets. On ImageNet-1K, with only 4 time steps, our Spiking-ResNet34 model attains a Top-1 accuracy of 70.04%, outperforming the previous same-architectural SOTA methods. Notably, our SEW-ResNet152 model reaches a Top-1 accuracy of 77.30% on ImageNet-1K, setting a new SOTA benchmark for SNNs. Furthermore, we apply our SAKD to various dense prediction downstream tasks, such as object detection and semantic segmentation, demonstrating strong generalization ability and superior performance. In conclusion, our proposed SAKD framework presents a promising approach for achieving both high performance and low latency in SNNs, potentially paving the way for future advancements in the field.

Narrow-linewidth exciton-polariton laser

Exciton-polariton lasers are a promising source of coherent light for low-energy applications due to their low-threshold operation. However, a detailed experimental study of their spectral purity, which directly affects their coherence properties, is still missing. Here, we present a high-resolution spectroscopic investigation of the energy and linewidth of an exciton-polariton laser in the single-mode regime, which derives its coherent emission from an optically pumped and confined exciton-polariton condensate. We report an ultra-narrow linewidth of 56 MHz or 0.24 µeV, corresponding to a coherence time of 5.7 ns. The narrow linewidth is consistently achieved by using an exciton-polariton condensate with a high photonic content confined in an optically induced trap. Contrary to previous studies, we show that the excitonic reservoir created by the pump and responsible for creating the trap does not strongly affect the emission linewidth as long as the condensate is trapped and the pump power is well above the condensation (lasing) threshold. The long coherence time of the exciton-polariton system uncovered here opens up opportunities for manipulating its macroscopic quantum state, which is essential for applications in classical and quantum computing.

A Voltage-Gated Spin-Orbit Torque (VgSOT) Magnetic Tunnel Junction based Non-Volatile Flip Flop design for Low Energy Applications

In this paper, a Voltage-gated Spin-Orbit Torque based non-volatile flip-flop design has been discussed. Theflip-flop consists of a conventional CMOS master latch used in normal operations, and a VgSOT-MTJ basedslave latch has been considered for interim data saving during power-gating. The current circuit uses the samewrite current to write data into two magnetic tunnel junctions, saving 50% of storing energy. The proposedNVFF circuit has been simulated using Cadence Virtuoso 45nm. The performance parameters like energyconsumption and delay during restore and store operations of VgSOT-MTJ based NVFF circuit have beenanalyzed in this paper and compared with SOT-MTJ based and STT-MTJ based NVFF circuits. Simulationresults show that for the switching delay, VgSOT-MTJ based NVFF performs 40% and 58% better than SOT-MTJ NVFF and STT-MTJ based NVFFs, respectively during storing mode and 83% and 88% better than SOT-MTJ and STT-MTJ based NVFFs during restoring mode. In terms of energy consumption, during storingmode, VgSOT-MTJ based NVFF consumes 84% less energy than SOT-MTJ NVFF and 90 % less energy thanSTT-MTJ based NVFFs. During restoring mode, VgSOT-MTJ based NVFF consumes 70% and 80% lessenergy than SOT-MTJ NVFF and STT-MTJ, respectively.

Narrowband IoT

Narrowband Internet of things (NBIoT) is a low energy and low resource consuming version of IoT. As its name suggests, it needs a narrow bandwidth for its operations. Its energy consumption is also very low, and thus it is suitable for low energy applications. It is compatible with all types of cellular communication infrastructure such as 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G. It is also possible to deploy NBIoT in the standalone mode where cellular networks are not available. It can cover a large area with a very small amount of power. So, it is a popular low power wide area (LPWA) technology. Due to its LPWA features, it is popular for the connected living applications at home and workplace surroundings. Its LPWA features make it a popular green technology for digital transformation. In this article, the authors provide the main characteristics of NBIoT, its standards, its potentials, and applications in different domains.

A novel multi-degree of freedom kinetic energy harvester for self-powered low-power applications in ships

The utilization of kinetic energy from the motion of small fishing boats to energize ship-borne wireless sensors offers a promising solution to address the power supply challenges of these sensors in the maritime environment. Nonetheless, the constrained scope of retrievable kinetic energy in the prevailing ship-borne kinetic energy harvester has evolved into a hindrance, curbing its progression. Hence, this paper proposed a novel multi-degree of freedom kinetic energy harvester for low-power applications in ships, where the harvester is harnessed by combining a ball rod, sliding bearing, and slider body. Relying on this mechanical device, the ship's kinetic energy in the surge, roll, sway, and pitch directions is transformed into the swinging motion of the mass ball, subsequently converted into the movement of the slider body. Under the influence of the magnetic force between the slider body and the piezoelectric beam, the piezoelectric beam experiences frequent oscillations, ultimately translating mechanical motion into electrical energy. The experimental results show that the harvester can charge capacitors with capacities of 220 μF, 470 μF, and 1000 μF to 1 V within time intervals of 15 s, 24 s, and 36 s. The prototype has been effectively deployed on a ship in an artificial lake, achieving an impressive maximum average power output of 173.10 μW. This study serves as compelling evidence that the harvesting of kinetic energy from ships presents a promising solution for self-powering low-energy applications onboard while also introducing a novel design concept for applying kinetic energy harvesters on fishing vessels.

Investigation of structural, mechanical, electronic and optical responses of Ga doped aluminum arsenide for optoelectronic applications: By first principles

Owing to the rapidly increasing performance of ternary semiconductors; Aluminium Gallium Arsenide (Al1-xGaxAs; x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) has been studied by first-principles calculations in Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP-Code). Density functional theory in the frame of full potential linear augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) is used. The structural, electronic, and optical behavior of the Zinc Blend (ZB) structure of AlAs with Ga impurity was computed by using generalized gradient approximation (GGA) as exchange potential and Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) as functional. Changes in lattice parameters (a), bulk modulus (66.07–76.85), hardness (5.79–8.91) and machinability (1.36–1.46), band gap energy (Eg), and optical properties are computed and discussed in this work. Lattice parameters and elastic constants showed excellent agreement with the reported data whereas some properties were found to excel much more than the theoretical reports. Remarkable bandgap reduction from 1.7eV to 0.28eV is very encouraging in its low-energy applications in UV and visible ranges. Real (Re) and Imaginary (Img) parts of the dielectric function and refractive index shifts towards lower energy values show good agreement with those of theoretical and experimental works. We contribute to the knowledge and characterization of Al1-xGaxAs facilitating its integration into various technological advancements such as photovoltaic, laser, diodes, and high-frequency transistors.

Influence of Formation Temperature on Cycling Stability of Sodium-Ion Cells: A Case Study of Na3V2(PO4)2F3 | HC Cells

Sodium-ion batteries are cheaper and attractive alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, particularly for low energy applications.1 Moreover, the Na+ cation, with its larger ionic radius and lower charge density than Li+, exhibits a weaker interaction within the ionic framework of electrode materials, as well as in solution, resulting in the higher power-rate capability of sodium materials. Hence, sodium-ion batteries based on Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (NVPF) | hard carbon (HC) and Prussian blue analogs (PBA) I HC chemistries are primarily promoted for their high power applications (nearly 80% charging of the cell within 10min). Of particular interest is the NVPF|HC system, due to its high energy density (~120 Wh/kg achieved in 18650 cell level) and high structural stability of NVPF material for long cycling.Our studies, together with others published in recent years, show that the electrode-electrolyte interphase (EEI) formed in the Na-ion cell is not stable as it partly dissolves during rest or discharge periods, and re-forms when recharging the cell.2 This dissolution and reformation cycle can lead to poor cycling stability and an increase in EEI thickness. A thicker EEI results in a higher impedance, which decreases the performance of the cell at high charge/discharge rates. Thus, different strategies have been explored to modify the EEI properties and enhance its stability, mainly focused on the incorporation of SEI-forming additives like vinylene carbonate or fluoroethylene carbonate.3 These additives could eventually stabilize the interphase but with the cost of increasing the interfacial impedance, hence affecting the power rate capability of the Na-ion cells, as mentioned before. Thus, different strategies are needed that allow for the formation of a stable interphase displaying high ionic conductivity (less resistance).Here, we show that it is possible to achieve a stable, ionically conducting interphase modulating the temperature during formation cycles. First, we demonstrated that the nature and chemical composition of the interphase changes as a function of the temperature applied during the formation cycles. The temperature of the cell is expected to play a role in the dissolution or precipitation of different chemical components, which helps us to tune the formation protocol, producing a stable and conducting interphase with or without electrolyte additives. The cells subjected to the optimized formation protocol exhibit low impedance, high power rate capability and long cycling stability. The results presented in this study benefit in great measure the future commercialization of NVPF|HC cells, but also are expected to be of value for other sodium cells based on HC anodes, by providing a framework to optimize the EEI formation and characteristics. References Tarascon, J.-M. Na-ion versus Li-ion Batteries: Complementarity Rather than Competitiveness. Joule 4, 1616–1620 (2020).Ma, L. A., Mogensen, R., Naylor, A. J. & Younesi, R. Solid Electrolyte Interphase in Na-ion batteries. in Na-ion Batteries 243–264 (John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2021). doi:10.1002/9781119818069.ch6.Eshetu, G. G. et al. Electrolyte Additives for Room-Temperature, Sodium-Based, Rechargeable Batteries. Chem. – Asian J. 13, 2770–2780 (2018).

Dependence of the Gd concentration range for thermally induced magnetization switching on the intrinsic damping

Ultrafast magnetization switching induced by a single femtosecond laser pulse in the absence of an applied magnetic field has attracted extensive attention due to its great potential for low energy and ultrafast storage applications. However, pulse helicity-independent switching is mainly used for Gd-based materials, and it is now necessary to explore the possibility of further optimization depending on the composition and damping coefficients. For the GdFe alloy with low Gd concentration, we modulate the damping constant for a comparative analysis based on atomic spin simulations. The simulation results show that an appropriate increase in the high damping ratio αFe/αGd not only helps to extend the pulse fluence range for switching but also reduces the minimum Gd concentration requirement for transient ferromagnetic-like state. The results show that the pulse fluence threshold of switching at low Gd concentration is more sensitive to the damping ratio αFe/αGd. On the contrary, modulating the damping ratio αFe/αGd at high Gd concentrations almost does not cause the shift of pulse fluence threshold. The lower Gd concentration for thermally induced magnetization switching is expected to be unlocked by the engineering of element-specific damping.

Analysis and Design of Two-Switch Enhanced Gain SEPIC Converter

A two-switch, enhanced gain single-ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) is proposed with key benefits of enhanced voltage gain, reduced voltage stress and better efficiency, as it is suitable for low voltage green energy applications. Further, reduced voltage stress between the intermediate capacitors is a notable attribute of this converter. The converter components are designed with proper design procedure and a steady-state analysis is performed to study its operation. A small-signal analysis of the proposed converter is also presented to examine the pole-zero positions. Also, this paper includes the performance comparison with other similar converters. Simulation and experimental results of the proposed converter with a rating of 100 W/50 kHz and input and output voltages of 20 V and 200 V, respectively are provided. Efficiency as well as power loss distribution are also investigated in this study.

Conductive Ink Printed Fabric Antenna with Aperture Feeding Technique

Screen-printed and inkjet-printed conductive fabric antennas have been investigated in this manuscript. The former showed optimal radiation performance after fabrication and measurement, which was the basis for developing a new fabric antenna feeding technique. The aperture-fed technique is achieved with a single coaxial cable overlayed on a cut-out slot on the ground layer of the patch antenna. The cable is connected with conductive silver-based epoxy paste with high resilience to mechanical stress. Two antenna models for Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and long-range (LoRa) wireless applications were designed, fabricated, and measured at 2.44 GHz and 868 MHz, respectively, with good impedance and radiation performance. The measured antennas operated from 2.4 to 2.48 GHz (BLE) and 853 to 886 MHz (LoRa) at −10 dB S11. Measured results also showed a 56% radiation efficiency at BLE and 44.9% at LoRa. The screen-printing procedure and feeding technique have been presented in this manuscript.

An in-silico proof-of-concept of electrohydrodynamic air amplifier for low-energy airflow generation

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) technology generates airflow without moving parts, making it a reliable solution for various low-energy applications. EHD-based airflow devices enhance airflow patterns, resulting in significant energy savings in air-moving systems. This airflow, also known as ionic wind, is created through Corona discharge, which accelerates electrically charged air molecules in a strong electric field. Currently, EHD's low electrical-to-mechanical energy conversion rate still limit its ability to generate large flow rates. The objective of this study is to enhance the flow rate of EHD-based devices, for applications where EHD can be used as an effective auxiliary technology with low pressure lift, to enhance airflow distribution and circulation. To this end, a novel bladeless air propulsion device is proposed that combines ionic wind with air amplification based on the Coanda phenomenon to amplify EHD-generated flow rates. We assess the performance of the bladeless air propulsion device to generate airflow by investigating fluid dynamics, electrostatics, and energy consumption. We demonstrate the proof-of-concept with an innovative fully-coupled simulation approach for corona discharge and EHD modeling. We explore different design parameters on the conceptual EHD air amplifier, such as the electric potential (10–30 kV) of the discharge electrode, the electrode spacing (5–25 mm), and the channel height (30–150 mm). The studies are performed on a 2D constrained channel flow and a 2D-axisymmetric open space design, respectively. In order to quantify the benefit of air amplification on EHD, the results are benchmarked to a regular EHD setup without amplifying vane as well as to a comparable commercial axial fan. We assess the performance in terms of flow rate per electric power input. Here, the EHD air amplifier in the constrained flow configuration increases the total flow rate by 59% compared to regular EHD and 48% compared to the axial fan for the same electrical energy input. Amplification factors of 16.5–19 are achieved for the constrained configuration and 5.5 to 6.4 for the open space configuration. The predicted energy consumption is 4–17.5 W for the open space configuration, resulting in flow rates up to 140 m3 h−1. These results show that EHD air amplification is a promising way to generate high flow rates with low pressure rise at a low electrical cost, by which it can provide a more sustainable alternative to conventional fans in specific applications..

Self-Calibrated Digital Two-Point Modulator for BLE RF Transmitter

In this brief, a self-calibrated two-point delta-sigma modulation technique for a CMOS RF transmitter is proposed for use for a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a delta–sigma modulator in a frequency synthesizer. By using the counter to calibrate the frequency deviation of two-point modulation to the desired value, the gain mismatch between two paths can be completely calibrated by modifying the gain of the VCO path. The frequency modulation therefore guarantees a robust performance against PVT variations without using any additional circuit. This technique is applied to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) applications. The proposed Two-Point Modulation achieves error vector magnitude (EVM) of −29.3 dB at 1 Mbps and is implemented in 55 nm CMOS process technology. The area of the chip is 0.28 mm2 and its power consumption is 2.9 mW.

Design and Implementation of In-Vehicle Alcohol Detection and Speed Control System

This study presented an effective method for reducing the rise in the number of road accidents instigated by drivers' excessive alcohol consumption on Nigerian roadways. Although speed restrictions and other preventative measures have been introduced, traffic accidents continue to occur daily. Over speeding, rash driving and drunk driving are all major contributors to motor vehicle accidents. To introduce this concept, this study has built an IOT-based in-vehicle alcohol detection and speed control system using the Arduino Nano microcontroller connected to the alcohol sensor, LCD display, and DC motor with the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Application and Blynk Cloud Server for remote control and monitoring. This system uses the MQ-3 sensor to continuously monitor the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and detect the presence of alcohol during breathing. This system can continuously monitor the alcohol content of the driver's breathing by installing a sensor in the steering wheel. This device was capable of detecting excessive speed and was programmed to alert with an SMS. After testing, it was determined that the suggested system met the standards for starting a car's engine. If the driver's breath alcohol level is discovered to be greater than the prescribed level (BAC) of 0.5 mg/mL, relevant individuals and authorities will be notified through GSM. The experimental results indicate that the alcohol sensor can respond rapidly when alcohol is detected and also operate for an extended period.

Identification of radiopure tungsten for low background applications

In this article we explore the availability of radiopure tungsten and its potential as high density shield material for low background applications. For compact shield designs, conventionally, lead is used. Metallic tungsten and tungsten pseudo-alloys reach higher densities up to 19.3 g cm−3 and do not exhibit a significant 210Pb activity, which is a typical intrinsic contamination in lead. Within several γ-ray screening campaigns we were able to identify tungsten samples with activities similar or better than 1 mBq kg−1 in 232Th, 40K, 60Co and the second part of the 238U decay chain. In cooperation with a manufacturer we further reduced a persisting contamination in the first part of the 238U decay chain by a factor of ∼2.5 down to (305 ± 30) mBq kg−1. With Monte Carlo simulations, the construction of prototype tungsten-based setups and dedicated measurements, the shield capability of tungsten in comparison to lead was extensively studied. Specifically, the impact of cosmogenic radiation on the background at shallow depth was investigated. We showed that a 6%–40% reduction (depending on the exact shield configuration) in the muon-induced neutron fluence is achievable by replacing lead with an equivalent amount of tungsten regarding the suppression of external γ-radiation. Overall, many benefits using tungsten especially for low energy applications below a few 100 keV are found. The pseudo-tungsten alloy presented in this work paves the way for several applications especially regarding background suppression in particle and astroparticle physics search programs.

Holography, application, and string theory's changing nature

Based on string theory's framework, the gauge/gravity duality, also known as holography, has the ability to solve practical problems in low energy physical systems like metals and fluids. Holographic applications open a path for conversation and collaboration between the theory-driven, high energy culture of string theory and fields like nuclear and condensed matter physics, which in contrast place great emphasis on the empirical evidence that experiment provides. This paper takes a look at holography's history, from its roots in string theory to its present-day applications that are challenging the cultural identity of the field. I will focus on two of these applications: holographic QCD and holographic superconductivity, highlighting some of the (often incompatible) historical influences, motives, and epistemic values at play, as well as the subcultural shifts that help the collaborations work. The extent to which holographic research – arguably string theory's most successful and prolific area – must change its subcultural identity in order to function in fields outside of string theory reflects its changing nature and the uncertain future of the field. Does string theory lose its identity in the low-energy applications that holography provides? Does holography still belong under string theory's umbrella, or is it destined to form new subcultures with each of its fields of application? I find that the answers to these questions are dynamic, interconnected, and highly dependent on string theory's relationship with its field of application. In some cases, holography can maintain the goals and values it inherited from string theory. In others, it instead adopts the goals and values of the field in which it is applied. These examples highlight a growing need for the STS community to expand its treatment of string theory regarding its relationship with empiricism and role as a theory of quantum gravity.1

Characterisation of the performance of p-type Si detectors for hard X-ray spectroscopy

High-density compound semiconductors with sufficiently-high photon attenuations, such as CdZnTe, are required for the detection of the high-energy X-rays (>20 keV), typical to applications of the HEXITEC ASIC. However, in low-energy applications (2–20 keV), the lower electron-hole-pair generation energy of Si offers the potential of improved spectroscopic resolution. Si-based pixelated X-ray sensors are typically based on n-type material where holes are the carrier that form the signal measured on the pixels. However, the incorporation of p-type dopants into the material enables these sensors to be operated effectively in electron readout. This is similar to CdZnTe sensors, where electrons are measured by the pixels. Critically, this allows a single electron-sensitive chip to be utilised for low- and high-energy measurements. Presented in this paper are the results of the spectroscopic characterisation of four p-type-Si sensors (two 300 μm and two 500 μm thick), manufactured by Micron Semiconductors Ltd., and flip-chip bonded to the HEXITEC ASIC. At 13.94 keV all tested devices displayed average FWHM of <540 eV and the average ASIC-limited FWHM of 489 ± 75 eV measured for a single 300 μm module represents the highest resolution measured with the HEXITEC ASIC. Results also show very low pixel-to-pixel variations in the measured FWHM demonstrating the excellent spatial uniformity of these devices, and a study into the temporal stability of a single detector over a ∼30 h period demonstrated negligible changes in spectroscopic performance.

S-CAM: An Untethered Insertable Laparoscopic Surgical Camera Robot with Non-Contact Actuation

Fully insertable robotic imaging devices represent a promising future of minimally invasive laparoscopic vision. Emerging research efforts in this field have resulted in several proof-of-concept prototypes. One common drawback of these designs derives from their clumsy tethering wires which not only cause operational interference but also reduce camera mobility. In this paper, a tetherless insertable surgical camera (s-CAM) robot with non-contact transabdominal actuation is presented for single-incision laparoscopic vision. Wireless video transmission and control communication using onboard power help eliminate cumbersome tethering wires. Furthermore, magnetic based camera actuation gets rid of intrinsic physical constraints of mechanical driving mechanisms, thereby improving camera mobility and reducing operational interference. In addition, a custom Bluetooth low energy (BLE) application profile and a real-time operating system (RTOS) based multitask programming framework are also proposed to facilitate embedded software design for insertable medical devices. Initial ex vivo test results of the s-CAM design have demonstrated technical feasibility of a tetherless insertable laparoscopic camera. Effective imaging is confirmed at as low as 500 lx illumination. Wireless laparoscopic vision is accessible within a distance of more than 10 m. Transabdominal BLE communication is stable at over −52 dBm and shows its potential for wireless control of insertable medical devices. RTOS based sfotware event response is bounded within 1 ms while the CPU usage is at 3∼5%. The device is able to work for 50 min with its onboard power. For the mobility, the robot can translate against the interior abdominal wall to reach full abdomen quadrants, tilt between −180 and +180, and pan in the range of 0∼360. The s-CAM has brought robotic laparoscopic imaging one step further toward less invasiveness and more dexterity.