Ambient energy exchange (AEE) describes a theoretical device which converts ambient or background energy into a different form and stores it for a particular use. It is usually associated with nanotechnology and is still very much in its infancy, not even being recognised by some technologists.

Some environmental groups are supporting research into its development as it aims to minimalise the impact on the environment by localising the source of energy rather than transmitting or transporting it.

AEE is most often used to refer to small common items such as lightbulbs, heaters, radios etc. or individually powered components of a larger device (e.g. a computer) where an array of microscopic cells (similar in function to much larger solar cells) are built into the device and linked to some form of capacitor to store the energy converted from the incident heat/light into electrical charge. This charge is then used to provide the required output (e.g. via light emitting diodes LEDs in the lightbulb) on some signal (e.g. from a remote control or due to a change in environmental conditions).

There are two types of AEE: intrinsic where the power supply cells are built into the component itself and extrinsic where they are built onto the surrounding structure, e.g the casing of a computer or even (hypothetically) clothing, so that a device could be charging when in a shirt pocket via cells in the cloth of the shirt picking up body heat. [1005]

The key differences between AEE devices and traditional devices are

1. Independence from any external power source

2. Auto-generation in the device itself using many microscopic energy converters

3. As near as possible to environmentally neutral functioning (i.e. minimum impact on the environment due to use of local energy with very little overhead for transportation)

4. The possibility of building larger and more complex devices from AEE components, each responsible for its own power supply. (e.g. the 'AEE house' which heats and lights itself entirely from surrounding residual energy such as geothermal heat stored in the soil)

Currently AEE is only at the theoretical stage, although the technology exists to build simple devices which conform to at least some of its principles.