Quantifying the Value of Transient Voltage Sources

Some voltage sources are transient, lasting only for a moment of time, such as the generated by converting human motion into electricity. Such moreover tend to have degree randomness well internal resistance. We investigate how put number valuable given transient source is. derive several candidate measures via systematic approach. establish an interconvertibility hierarchy between sources, where interconversion means adding passive interface circuits sources. Resistors at ambient temperature bottom this and with low resistance high voltages top. provide three possible that assign respecting hierarchy. One measure captures much ``$\mathrm{unitdc}$'' contains, meaning $1$ V dc $1\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}$ s. Another relates signal-to-noise ratio time series, whereas third is based on relative entropy probability distribution thermal noise resistor. argue $\mathrm{unitdc}$ particularly useful virtue its operational interpretation in terms unit one needs combine create or can be distilled from source.