Power From the Air
July 26th, 2010 Filed under: Alternative Energy — Solar Power AuthorThere is a thin line between someone who may be deemed crazy and one who is heralded as a genius. Such is the case in this short but true anecdote involving radio signals. It seems that in 1912 the originator of wireless radio, Mr. Guglielmo Marconi offered a prediction that at some potential date wireless would actually be able to impart lighting for the home, heat for warming it up and power to run its applications. Naturally everyone considered him a “nut case” and had a hearty laugh at his expense. But that fact remains was he really crazy?
Recently a professor from Duke University, Matt Reynolds and Georgia Tech’s Jochen Teizer have succeeded in harnessing radio signals capable of powering a miniature beeper complete with a microprocessor in what is identified as a “SmartHat.” These hats are worn on construction sites to increases the elements of safety for the workers. The electronic units contained within the hat sound a audio warning device when any dangerous equipment is close by.
The unusual part of this story is that the equipment is functioning without the use of batteries of any kind. The power necessary to operate the equipment is being drained from the active radio waves found in the air. Several other products are presently in the development stage based upon these same principles.
The inventions use only radio waves to generate the required electrical power for the hat and beeper. These radio signals originate from the wireless communications gear that is being employed on the assortment of heavy equipment machines. These amazing devices consume such small quantities of power that they can drawn what they need from ambient radio signals.
One company in particular is now commercially taking advantage of these principles and constructing equipment that can perform special functions. “Powercast” is based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. This company markets radio wave transmitters and receivers which operate off the power mentioned above. These transmission and reception units are employed as part of a series of wireless sensors used to monitor room temperatures in automated equipment used for heating and air conditioning systems. Another current offering is a receiver used for charging battery free sensors called the “Powerharvester” Receiver.
Integrated circuits are in the making for wireless sensing which gathers the radio power which is currently going to waste and provide the energy needed for cell phone antennas, TV tower equipment and Wi-Fi transmitters. With the use of these ambient radio waves enough energy can be created to substitute for triple A batteries in calculators, clocks and temperature sensors.
Perhaps this will be our key to transcending the stars and arriving at distant planets without the reliance on batteries or even conventional propulsion units. Who knows what the future can bring with this wondrous idea.
Copyright @2010 Joseph Parish
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