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Subject:
Proposal for Self-Powered RFID Currency:
Leveraging Breakthroughs in Nano-Sensor Technology
Dear Shri Malhotraji ,
[ RBI Governor / governor@rbi.org.in ]
Following my recent suggestion regarding the integration of RFID chips into our
polymer currency notes, I would like to provide an updated technical perspective.
The primary historical obstacle to this proposal has been the power constraint—
finding a way to provide energy to an RFID sensor embedded in a thin, non-
battery-powered note.
However, recent advancements in ultra-low-power, self-powered sensor
technology have rendered this challenge surmountable. I believe these
developments warrant a review of the feasibility of embedding RFID into our high-
denomination banknotes:
- Solar-Powered Miniaturization:
- We have seen recent successful deployments of nano-scale, solar-powered
- tracking devices, such as those used in Monarch butterfly project .
- These demonstrate that energy-autonomous, ultra-light sensors are no longer
- theoretical.
- Hybrid Energy Harvesting:
- Research into integrating
- solar cells or triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) with microsupercapacitors
- provides a viable path to power RFID sensors (~10 µW) without a traditional
- battery. These components can be printed in micron-scale thicknesses
- suitable for polymer notes
- Email - "PLEASE HELP ELIMINATING BLACK MONEY" - April 2018.
- Practicality of Handling:
- While dormant cash in vaults was a concern, we have identified that currency
- in circulation is subject to regular handling. This physical interaction—along
- with exposure to ambient light—can recharge embedded
- microsupercapacitors
- Email - "FW: TENG / Triboelectric Nanogeneratot" - July 2018.
By adopting these self-powered architectures, the Reserve Bank of India could
create a "Money-Tracking" infrastructure that enables the IT/ED departments to
detect large, unauthorized accumulations of high-denomination notes. This would
be a transformative step in eliminating the generation and storage of black
money.
I have advocated for this concept for several years
Blog - "A Breakthrough for powering tiny RFID Sensors ?" - July 2023
and am confident that the current state of material science allows us to bridge the
gap between "operational challenge" and "national solution."
I would be honored to discuss how these emerging technologies could be adapted
for our specific currency requirements.
Respectfully,
Hemen Parekh
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