University of Tokyo develops expansive plastic power sheet

It seems this whole "wireless power" phenomenon is just getting warmed up, as we've got yet another creation that promises to rejuvenate our gadgetry without forcing us to hunt for those easy-to-misplace AC adapters. Researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated a prototype which consists of "plastic and flexible electronics" that can wirelessly provide power to "any device that touches its surface." Of course, gadgets would need to be equipped with "a coil and special power-harvesting circuitry" to receive the energy, but it still beats lugging around half a dozen adapters on every outing. While this flexible sheet still relies on electromagnetic induction like the one's that have come before it, this particular rendition features a dual-sheet design that allows it to intelligently divert power to objects touching any part of the sheet, while not wasting energy on parts not being occupied. Takao Someya, professor of engineering, estimates that there's still "about five years" before the sheet will overcome the current "reliability issues," but hopes to one day "power flat-screen panels without ever needing an electrical outlet."

[Antemeridian @ Dec 21st 2006 2:49PM]

I look at this as an even greater boon for business travellers. I'm supposed to go to Europe next month, and if I could just make sure my cell phone, iPod, laptop, etc. would be able to charge/draw power from a flat matte, and the hotel would provide said matte, wouldn't that be great?

[MikeK @ Dec 21st 2006 3:25PM]

When I first looked at the picture I thought how clever they have created a flooring material that generates power when they walk on it. Now that I see thats not what this is I wonder if you could harness the power of the footstep to power office building street lamps etc.......

[badabing @ Dec 21st 2006 4:16PM]

There was an article on what you are talking about a few months ago. As I recall it would use the vibrations from your footfalls and the underground to creat electricity to power the lamposts.

[badabing @ Dec 21st 2006 4:17PM]

create*

[kerry @ Dec 23rd 2006 10:52PM]

I would like to invest in this. Who do we contact? I want in!!!!!!!!