Towards Long-Range, Battery-less Water Leak Detection: A LoRa-Based Approach

Abstract: This paper presents a battery-less, self-powered water leak detection system that utilizes LoRa communication for long-range, real-time monitoring. The system harvests hydroelectric energy through a layered stack of conductive nanomaterials and metals, achieving a peak short-circuit current of over 500 mA and 1.65 V open-circuit voltage upon exposure to water. To address LoRa's higher power demands, an energy management subsystem -- comprising a DC-DC boost converter and a 100 mF supercapacitor -- ensures stable power delivery for the LLCC68 LoRa module. Experimental results demonstrate the system's ability to detect leaks as shallow as 0.5 mm, activate within 50 seconds across varying water depths, and transmit data reliably over LoRaWAN. This solution eliminates battery dependency, offering a scalable, maintenance-free approach for industrial, commercial, and residential applications, while advancing sustainable IoT infrastructure.