[Dtech]Nokia Prototype Generates Power from Ambient Radiation - Overclock.net

Wookie Man · 06-10-09

Quote:

Markku Rouvala, a researcher from the Nokia Research Centre in Cambridge, U.K., and a group of researchers are working towards a development that could lead to phones that are able to top off their batteries by harvesting power from ambient RF signals.

The type of radiation that the researchers are trying to harvest for the power comes from Wi-Fi transmitters, cell phones, TV antennas and other sources. Rouvala says that the prototype device that has been developed could harvest as much as 50 milliwatts of power. That amount of power would be sufficient to charge a phone that is switched off.

The current prototype is capable of harvesting only three to five milliwatts. Two passive circuits are required in the prototype device.

Rouvala said, "Even if you are only getting microwatts, you can still harvest energy, provided your circuit is not using more power than it's receiving."

Generating power in this method isn’t a new break through; the same method is used to generate power for wireless sensors and RFID tags. Technology Review reports that this year a researcher at the University of Washington developed a temperature and humidity sensor that was able to draw the power it needs to operate from a signal emitted by a 1-megawatt TV antenna 4.1km away, but the device needed only 60 microwatts.

Nokia's plans are to generate much higher levels of power from ambient signals. To develop 50 milliwatts would need about 1000 strong signals and an antenna that can pick up such a wide range of frequencies would suffer from efficiency losses.

Researcher and physicist Steve Beeby works on vibrational energy. He said, "If they can get 50 milliwatts out of ambient RF, that would put me out of business."

Nokia is mum on the details of its plan, but Rouvala says, "I would say it is possible to put this into a product within three to four years."
The technology would not be used to power a phone alone; it would be combined with other energy-harvesting technology like solar cells. This sort of power generating technology would be especially welcome on Nokia handsets designed for emerging markets.

Source

Vagrant Storm · 06-10-09

Put this crap in my wireless mouse please...wireless game controllers too.

too bad it will be too expensive for a few years yet and that is if they perfect it.

Wow...imagine if some one really perfected this. No more powerlines or powercords. Just a radio antena some where a few km away powering your toaster where ever you go.

Also imagine what it could do for electric cars...

mothergoose729 · 06-10-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vagrant Storm

Put this crap in my wireless mouse please...wireless game controllers too.

too bad it will be too expensive for a few years yet and that is if they perfect it.

Wow...imagine if some one really perfected this. No more powerlines or powercords. Just a radio antena some where a few km away powering your toaster where ever you go.

Also imagine what it could do for electric cars...

This would not be enough to do more then power the computer in a car. It could prevent a dead battery maybe..

I think even when this technology comes to market people will be disappointed with what type of phones will use this. It is foolish to deny technology, but they will probably not be razors and smart phones will draw to much power. Still really neat.

shifty22123 · 06-10-09

I wonder why america's phone cariers doesn't carry more nokia phones. Tmobile carries a few of their bottom end products, but the best phones on the market are make by nokia and sony ericsson. Even the iphone will have a hard time standing it's ground when it comes face to face with a nokia smartphone

Papa.Smurf · 06-21-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty22123

I wonder why america's phone cariers doesn't carry more nokia phones. Tmobile carries a few of their bottom end products, but the best phones on the market are make by nokia and sony ericsson. Even the iphone will have a hard time standing it's ground when it comes face to face with a nokia smartphone

Iv been thinking that for sometime now, maybe its got something to do with that carrier handset monopoly that was recently uncovered

As far as this new tech, i would love to have this right now or even have a charger that would charge multiple devices. I cant even count the number of times my phones and stuff had died on me just when i really needed them.

Jerid · 06-21-09

Ignore this

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[Dtech]Nokia Prototype Generates Power from Ambient Radiation

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