Harvesting energy from ambient radio signals: A load of hot air?

Harvesting energy from ambient radio signals is claimed to hold much innovation potential. Advances in ultra-low power electronics, an appetite for reducing the environmental footprint of technology and the business need for enabling new applications such as sensing in inaccessible locations are widely believed to be drivers. We review these drivers, and recent technological advances to reveal what potential there is by harvesting energy from ambient radio signals. Particular attention is given to the possibility of powering smart meters in this way.