RIOT is an operating system for low-power wireless devices, which naturally creates a focus on maximizing device lifetime by minimizing energy consumption. When evaluating energy performance or when dimensioning the energy needs of a system, however, the energy store itself is usually treated as a simple ledger: mAh in vs mAh out.

This talk highlights some of the key properties of batteries and super-capacitors that are relevant to the design of low power wireless systems, especially some of the fundamental limtiations and trade-offs. I will also present the UU-CoRe Battery Testbed, which is a unique (though still somewhat experimental) resource for large-scale, application-oriented measurement of small energy storage devices. If time permits, I will conclude with some highlights of our on-going research in battery-protocol co-design, in collaboration with
the UU chemistry department.