The word ‘ambient’ relates to something around us. Thus we speak of the ambient temperature in battery storage rooms, for example. We have known for a while that there is ambient energy around us in the form of radio signals and light. Until recently, we have not been able to power a cell phone running on ambient energy. But now we are getting closer, thanks to sterling work down at the University of Washington.
Could This Turn the Lithium Battery Industry Upside Down?
Lithium batteries are brilliant pieces of technology. They have enabled huge advances in the devices they power, and great steps forward with the mobile internet. But they are not perfect, and they have had their moments of excitement. What would happen to them, if we had a cell phone running on ambient energy instead, and reliably? What if it worked for years without ever needing a top up? Like this one might.
Phone Running On Ambient Energy at Washington Uni
Researchers at Washington University tackled the challenge by first eliminating the most power-hungry aspect of cellular phone design. This energy-gobbler is the task of converting analog signals in data to digital ones that the phone can comprehend. Their prototype uses an antenna to detect tiny vibrations in the microphone or speaker instead. Then it converts the motion into a standard analog radio signal.
The phone collects the tiny amount of energy it still needs from ambient light. Its solar cell is only as large as a grain of rice, but it still does the job. It needs a compatible base station the scientists also developed. Together, these two devices have transmitted, and received, a signal across fifty feet. They even have an answer for when it is pitch dark. Their cell phone running on ambient energy can also source it from radio signals transmitted from 31 feet away.
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Preview Image: Washington University Research Team
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