ultra low power arduino + display

Community Projects
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I am considering a bit of an odd project. I would like to make a digital tea cup. The essence of this teacup would be a cup with a built in temperature and timer function. This is all very high level right now, and I must admit my experience with this is limited (other than making tea cups…)

My plan A was to try to find an arduino system (because all my research has indicated its the easiest to use) with a very low power display. My goal was to have the display and system operate off of a thermoelectric generator built into the tea cup. The obvious issue here is that the very best TEG I can find can only put out about 1V and 0.5W or so at the temperature difference between boiled tea water and room temp… and this drops off dramatically as the tea would cool.

I was hoping to avoid the use of batteries but its looking like I might have to go this route as the lowest powered arduino’s and displays I can find are 3.3V and probably suck back way to much wattage for a TEG at these low temps.

Any way before I go on to a Plan B involving where to hide a high capacity battery in a tea cup, I thought I would ask if anyone might have any better ideas.

Thanks!

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Yea, I don’t think you can generate enough power to supply a circuit like you’re wanting… Check out Sparkfun’s LiPo batteries, they get pretty small. Also these batteries can power a circuit for quite a while if your circuit is setup right.

Curious, so you’re making a tea cup with a display that displays what, exactly?

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Wouldn’t really need a high capacity battery. A coin cell or watch battery should be fine and will fit in the base of the cup. Ideally it would only be on for a short time. Perhaps have it test itself every 10 seconds and stay awake only if the temperature is above 100F?