Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Researchers use virus's rogue traits to create electricity from motion]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/researchers-use-viruss-rogue-traits-to-create-electricity-from/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/researchers-use-viruss-rogue-traits-to-create-electricity-from/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/15/researchers-use-viruss-rogue-traits-to-create-electricity-from/#comments berkeley-labs-piezoelectrics-from-virus

Viruses are the swarming bullies of biology, but it turns out their alarming self-replication could one day power your iPod. We've seen them in batteries before, but researchers at Berkeley Labs have now coated electrodes with modified M13 bacteriophage, a harmless bacteria-eating virus, to create the first ever organic piezoelectric material -- which can convert force to electricity. The team explained that such a substance would be non-toxic, organize naturally into thin layers and self-regenerate, giving it a possible advantage over chemical options. In theory, by attaching a thin film of it to your shoes, power could be generated when walking, lending volts to the myriad electronics we pack around nowadays. To see a finger-powered video demo of our frequent-enemies making themselves useful for a change, stroll on past the break.

Continue reading Researchers use virus's rogue traits to create electricity from motion

Researchers use virus's rogue traits to create electricity from motion originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bacteriophagebacteriophagesBerkeleyBerkeley LabsBerkeleyLabsBioElectricbioelectric technologyBioelectricTechnologyelectricityenergyforcegreengreen technologyGreenTechnologypiezopiezoelectricpowerpower generationPowerGenerationrenewable energyRenewableEnergyvirusTue, 15 May 2012 17:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/honda-test-smart-home-controlling-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/honda-test-smart-home-controlling-energy/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/01/honda-test-smart-home-controlling-energy/#comments Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage

The term "smart home" seems to turn up in tech circles every so often, only to fade into the background again without much sign of ultra-connected dwellings becoming a reality. Honda's at least putting one foot forward, with a just-unveiled test house in Saitama, Japan featuring a system for controlling and monitoring energy usage. The Honda Smart Home System (HSHS) consists of thin-film solar cell panels, a rechargeable home battery unit, gas and hot water supply systems and the Smart e Mix Manager. The latter is the central part of the energy-control system, and it keeps track of all the other components in addition to monitoring the home's use of power supplied by the grid. In emergency situations, it can also provide electricity via the home battery unit. On the day-to-day level, however, the system is there to let home owners know what sources of power they can kill. Honda also integrates its Japan-only Internavi system for controlling home appliances remotely. The car maker hopes to use the house for extensive demo testing, with an ultimate goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 50 percent. No word on how many decades till we actually call this sort of place home, though. Click on past the break for a look (in Japanese) at the test home's features.

Continue reading Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage

Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconceptselectricityEnergyenergy efficientenergy usageEnergyEfficientEnergyUsagegreenhomehomeshondaHonda Smart e Mix Managerhonda smart home systemhonda test homeHondaSmartEMixManagerHondaSmartHomeSystemHondaTestHomeHousehousesJapanSmart e Mix Managersmart homesmart homesSmartEMixManagerSmartHomeSmartHomesvideoTue, 01 May 2012 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla pairs up with SolarCity, will power off-grid homes as well as cars]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/tesla-solarcity-batteries-off-grid-solar-homes/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/tesla-solarcity-batteries-off-grid-solar-homes/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/18/tesla-solarcity-batteries-off-grid-solar-homes/#comments Tesla pairs up with SolarCity, will power off-grid homes as well as cars

If you've ever dreamed of thumbing your nose at big energy and its expensive, polluting ways, then Tesla and a solar panel leasing company called SolarCity might be taking you a baby-step closer to reality. Although recognized mostly for its EVs, Tesla reckons it knows enough about batteries to solve a key problem in the solar energy chain -- namely the storage of power for use when the sun, power grid, or both go offline. The battery design, consisting of many laptop-style lithium ion batteries stacked together, was chosen after two years of research and a $1.8 million energy grant. The two companies are now waiting for tax credits from the Fed and California before rolling out the tech. And being kissing cousins -- with Elon Musk as both Chairman of SolarCity and CEO of Tesla -- certainly can't hurt.

Tesla pairs up with SolarCity, will power off-grid homes as well as cars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CaliforniaelectricityElon MuskElonMuskenergyenergy grantEnergyGrantgranthomeHouseholdoff-gridsolarsolar energysolar panelsolar panelssolar powerSolarCitySolarPanelSolarPanelsSolarPowerTeslaTransportationWed, 18 Apr 2012 18:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Philips' L Prize-winning light bulb goes on sale Sunday, priced between $20 and $60]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/philips-l-prize-winning-light-bulb-goes-on-sale-earth-day/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/philips-l-prize-winning-light-bulb-goes-on-sale-earth-day/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/philips-l-prize-winning-light-bulb-goes-on-sale-earth-day/#comments philips l prize light bulb

It's a little strange crowning a "winner" when only a single company enters the contest, but that's exactly what happened during the L Prize celebration in August of last year. Philips was the only outfit to take the US Department of Energy up on its offer, earning some $10 million to develop what might go down as the most radically designed, wildly expensive bulb your table lamp has ever seen. That said, the victorious bulb is a big fan of Ma Earth (and her of him), using just 10 watts of energy while outputting light similar to that of a 60 watt incandescent. It'll hit retailers like Home Depot this Sunday (Earth Day) for around $50 a pop, while some utility companies may subsidize 'em in an effort to hit the magical $20 price point. Hey, no one said saving energy would be remotely affordable, right?

Philips' L Prize-winning light bulb goes on sale Sunday, priced between $20 and $60 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earth dayEarthDayecoeco-friendlyelectricityenergyenergy-efficienthome depotHomeDepothouseholdl prizelightlight bulbLightBulblightingLPrizeon saleOnSalePhilipspowersaleTue, 17 Apr 2012 07:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Insert Coin: The PowerPot portable electric generator (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/insert-coin-the-powerpot/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/insert-coin-the-powerpot/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/10/insert-coin-the-powerpot/#commentsIn Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.
Image
Assuming you're not getting through the day with a bounty of fuel cell-powered gadgets, you've probably been in a situation where you needed power and it was nowhere to be found. The PowerPot isn't the most practical solution for every scenario, but it's likely to come in handy at least once. The power-generating pot uses thermoelectric modules to convert temperature differences into a 5-, 10- or 15-watt regulated power stream, sufficient for juicing up USB devices like smartphones, GPS devices and LED lamps. The most traditional method for creating this temperature difference is to put a pot of cold water over an open flame, but the device is adaptable to other configurations -- a pot of snow on a thermal spring, for example. Assuming you've taken the fire approach, you can also use the pot to boil water or cook food as you charge your gadgets.

The inventor has created a functional prototype that features fire-proof components and looks quite polished, but now the team is turning to Kickstarter to advance the project to production. Your pledge could net you any of a variety of PowerPots, ranging from a 5-watt portable V flavor for $125 to the 15-watt XV for $500. You can also pre-order a 10-watt PowerPot X for $199. If you're feeling generous, there's also an option to donate a PowerPot to folks in developing nations who may not have the cash to spare, but are in need of a cost-effective solution for power generation. Jump past the break to see the PowerPot V in action, and hit up the source link to scroll through the available configs before making your pledge.

Continue reading Insert Coin: The PowerPot portable electric generator (video)

Insert Coin: The PowerPot portable electric generator (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campingchargechargingdonationelectricelectricityfundfundinggeneratoricinsert coinInsertCoinkickstarterpledgepotpotspowerpower generationpower potPowerGenerationPowerPotstartupvideoTue, 10 Apr 2012 07:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Delaware Ph.D. student hopes to solve energy woes with renewable hydrogen production]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/05/delaware-student-develops-hydrogen-reactor/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/05/delaware-student-develops-hydrogen-reactor/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/05/delaware-student-develops-hydrogen-reactor/#comments Delaware Ph.D. student hopes to solve energy woes with renewable hydrogen productionHydrogen fuel is a fickle mistress. On one hand, it teases us with the promise of renewable energy and a cleaner tomorrow. On the other hand, it's most often produced with natural gas as the source -- hardly the clean break from fossil fuels that many had envisioned. Fortunately, there are other methods to harness this abundant element, and a doctoral student at the University of Delaware may have created a worthwhile process. Similar to previous research we've seen -- which relies on ceric oxide and energy from the sun -- Eric Koepf has designed a reactor that combines zinc oxide powder, solar rays and water to derive hydrogen as a storable energy source. Most intriguing, it's thought that the zinc oxide byproduct from the reaction will be reusable -- a potential gateway to sustainable energy. Koepf will spend the next six weeks in Zurich at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, where his reactor prototype will be put through its paces to determine its efficiency and effectiveness. If successful, his advisors envision that one day, we may see giant versions of Koepf's reactors producing hydrogen on an industrial scale. We certainly won't fault them for dreaming big.

Delaware Ph.D. student hopes to solve energy woes with renewable hydrogen production originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 03:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>delawareeco-friendlyelectricityenergyEric KoepfEricKoepffuelgreenhydrogenhydrogen fuelhydrogen reactorHydrogenFuelHydrogenReactorpowerprototypereactorrenewablerenewable energyRenewableEnergyresearchsciencesolarsolar powerSolarPowersunlightsustainablesustainable energySustainableEnergysyngasuniversity of delawareUniversityOfDelawarezinc oxideZincOxideThu, 05 Apr 2012 03:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers create incredibly thin solar cells flexible enough to wrap around a human hair]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/thin-flexible-solar-cells/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/thin-flexible-solar-cells/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/04/thin-flexible-solar-cells/#comments ImageYou've probably heard that the sun is strong enough to power our planet many times over, but without a practical method of harnessing that energy, there's no way to take full advantage. An incredibly thin and light solar cell could go a long way to accomplishing that on a smaller scale, however, making the latest device from researchers from the University of Austria and the University of Tokyo a fairly significant discovery. Scientists were able to create an ultra-thin solar cell that measures just 1.9 micrometers thick -- roughly one-tenth the size of the next device. Not only is the sample slim -- composed of electrodes mounted on plastic foil, rather than glass -- it's also incredibly flexible, able to be wrapped around a single strand of human hair (which, believe it or not, is nearly 20 times thicker). The scalable cell could replace batteries in lighting, display and medical applications, and may be ready to be put to use in as few as five years. There's a bounty of physical measurement and efficiency data at the source link below, so grab those reading glasses and click on past the break.

Researchers create incredibly thin solar cells flexible enough to wrap around a human hair originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterycellcellselectricelectricityjuicepanelpanelspowerprototypeprototypesresearchsciencesolarsolar cellsolar cellssolar panelsolar panelssolar powerSolarCellSolarCellsSolarPanelSolarPanelsSolarPowersunUniversity of AustriaUniversity of TokyoUniversityOfAustriaUniversityOfTokyoWed, 04 Apr 2012 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Facebook inks partnership with Opower, looks to socially compare home energy usage]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/facebook-opower-social-energy-tracking-project/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/facebook-opower-social-energy-tracking-project/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/facebook-opower-social-energy-tracking-project/#comments Facebook oPower energy usageGoogle passed, and Microsoft reckoned it had better things to do, but Zuckerberg's Castle is seemingly willing to pick up where those two left off. In what may go down as the strangest Facebook decision since the rejection of Valentina Monetta's video as best in the whole wide world, the company is launching a new social energy app that'll tap into technology from the National Resources Defense Council and Opower. Initially, the app will reach some 20 million households, and it's designed to help eco-curious Earthlings compile and benchmark usage data to see how their home stacks up against others. Within territories with utility participation, people can connect their utility account directly to the app to track progress and share energy saving accomplishments with friends. Unfortunately, the whole process looks rather manual for now, and privacy overlords will no doubt question the motives for requesting even more information from Facebook users; that said, it's totally possible to engage in the Opower tracking sans a Facebook account. To get going, give those source links a look.

Facebook inks partnership with Opower, looks to socially compare home energy usage originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eco-friendlyelectricityenergyenergy meterenergy usageEnergyMeterEnergyUsagefacebookgreenhomehome utilitiesHomeUtilitieshouseholdopowersocial networksocial networkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingutilitiesutilityTue, 03 Apr 2012 17:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Sandia Labs develops self monitoring smart outlet, still needs you to plug it in]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/sandia-labs-smart-outlet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/sandia-labs-smart-outlet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/01/sandia-labs-smart-outlet/#comments The folk at Sandia Labs work on all sorts of interesting projects, and the latest thing to fan our utopian dreams is this experimental smart power outlet. Unlike most monitoring set-ups, it can measure and control electric load without being connected to a central management system. The outlet comprises four receptacles, each with voltage and current sensors and a small computer which shuttles data over an Ethernet bridge. This autonomous style of operation could lead to more intelligent power grids that self-monitor, adapt and integrate with other grids without complex infrastructure updates. Other benefits include removing large points of failure, desirable in any network, and simpler home power monitoring systems. Sandia Labs' prototype could also improve effectiveness of variable output energy sources such as wind and solar, thanks to its ability to compensate for flux in energy production -- which might come in handy.

Sandia Labs develops self monitoring smart outlet, still needs you to plug it in originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electricelectricityexperimental outletExperimentalOutletpowerpower networkspower outletpower supplyPowerNetworksPowerOutletPowerSupplyprototypesandia labsSandia National LaboratoriesSandiaLabsSandiaNationalLaboratoriesscienceself-monitoringsmart outletSmartOutletThu, 01 Mar 2012 19:50:00 EST<![CDATA[ELVIIS Volvo C30 EV charges from any standard outlet, bills the driver (hands-on)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/elviis-volvo-c30-ev-charges-from-any-standard-outlet-bills-the/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/elviis-volvo-c30-ev-charges-from-any-standard-outlet-bills-the/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/elviis-volvo-c30-ev-charges-from-any-standard-outlet-bills-the/#comments The electric vehicle is still a fresh enough concept that the issue of redirecting the bill when filling up at a public outlet or a friend's house is of little concern. But once EVs gain more traction and the cost of electricity during that monthly dinner party starts to run upwards of 50 bucks, you'll definitely take notice. ELVIIS, a research collaboration between Ericsson and the Viktoria Institute in Sweden, may be the solution. Instead of pulling power from the grid blindly and billing the outlet's owner, the system provides driver and vehicle information to a server before charging begins, then redirects the cost for power consumed to whatever account you've registered with the vehicle, alleviating any concern about unexpected electricity bills. ELVIIS can theoretically serve other purposes, allowing you to select the least-expensive energy source, for example, or set the car to wait to charge until late-night, when rates are lower.

We jumped into the passenger seat of one of five existing ELVIIS cars -- built around an all-electric Volvo C30 -- and poked around the charging interface. The project isn't fully operational just yet, and was running in demo mode so there's no way to verify that it works as described, but it definitely appears to be solid, with Ericsson providing financial and development support. Eventually, it will use the car's GPS to identify nearby power outlets -- for now, you need to enter a specific outlet ID. There's also an Android app that allows you to monitor and reschedule charging, so if you programmed your car to be completely charged by 7AM but realized that you need to leave at 6, you can make sure you're covered without getting out of bed. But you don't need to go anywhere to see it in action -- just click on past the break.

Gallery: ELVIIS Volvo C30 EV hands-on

Continue reading ELVIIS Volvo C30 EV charges from any standard outlet, bills the driver (hands-on)

ELVIIS Volvo C30 EV charges from any standard outlet, bills the driver (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargingelectric carelectric powerelectric vehicleElectricCarelectricityElectricPowerElectricVehicleELVIISericssonevgridhands-onmobile world congressMobileWorldCongressmwcmwc 12mwc 2012Mwc12Mwc2012powerpower gridPowerGridsmart chargingSmartChargingvideoViktoria InstituteViktoriaInstitutevolvovolvo c30volvo evVolvoC30VolvoEvTue, 28 Feb 2012 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Cyborg cockroaches inch closer to reality, blame science]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/cyborg-cockroaches-energy-power/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/cyborg-cockroaches-energy-power/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/cyborg-cockroaches-energy-power/#comments
Few things on this planet are more indestructible than the lowly cockroach -- except, of course, a cyborg cockroach. That's what researchers at Case Western Reserve University are looking to create, and they're a lot closer than you may think. In fact, chemistry professor Daniel Scherson has found a way to harvest energy from the chemicals swimming within these insidious insects, meaning that they may soon be able to create robot cockroaches with a more reliable power source. To do this, Scherson and his team incorporated enzymes capable of converting a cockroach's food intake into electrons, which can then be funneled through a fuel cell to generate electricity. Unlike similar developments, Scherson's technique doesn't rely on an external source like light, movement or batteries. All you need is a cockroach and a steady food supply -- basically, a college dorm room.

[Image courtesy of The Life Files]

Cyborg cockroaches inch closer to reality, blame science originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugscase western reserve universityCaseWesternReserveUniversitychemistrycockroachcyborgcyborg cockroachesCyborgCockroacheselectricityenergyfuelgrossinsectresearchscaryThu, 12 Jan 2012 05:37:00 EST<![CDATA[This electric wire is four atoms thick, and you thought speaker cable was fiddly (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/this-electric-wire-is-four-atoms-thick-and-you-thought-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/this-electric-wire-is-four-atoms-thick-and-you-thought-speaker/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/this-electric-wire-is-four-atoms-thick-and-you-thought-speaker/#comments This should come as a great relief to anyone planning a quantum computer self-build: wires still conduct electricity and obey key laws of classical physics even when they're built at the nanoscale. Researchers at Purdue and Melbourne universities used chains of phosphorus atoms inside a silicon crystal to create a wire that's just four atoms wide and a single atom high -- 20 times smaller than the previous record-holder and infinitely narrower than anything you'd find at Newegg. The video after the break almost explains how they did it.

Continue reading This electric wire is four atoms thick, and you thought speaker cable was fiddly (video)

This electric wire is four atoms thick, and you thought speaker cable was fiddly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomatomicatomselectricityMelbourneMelbourne UniversityMelbourneUniversitynanoscalenanotechnologynanowirenbcohms lawOhmsLawphosphorusPurduePurdue UniversityPurdueUniversityquantumquantum computingQuantumComputingresistanceresistivityvideowireFri, 06 Jan 2012 14:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Onyx develops 330-watt 'plug-n-play' solar panel with built-in AC outlet]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/onyx-develops-330-watt-plug-n-play-solar-panel-with-built-in-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/onyx-develops-330-watt-plug-n-play-solar-panel-with-built-in-a/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/onyx-develops-330-watt-plug-n-play-solar-panel-with-built-in-a/#comments Onyx's new 330-watt solar panel isn't the first to offer a "plug-n-play" solution for getting power to your gadgets, but it may be the first to include a standard US power outlet, and enough output to juice up a computer, light or any other appliance (within reason) through its built-in micro inverter. "You can literally point the panel at the sun and plug an extension cord directly into the panel for immediate power," according to the Onyx PR, which you'll find in full just past the break.

Continue reading Onyx develops 330-watt 'plug-n-play' solar panel with built-in AC outlet

Onyx develops 330-watt 'plug-n-play' solar panel with built-in AC outlet originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electricelectricitygreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyminipostonyxonyx OSPP330-1onyx OSPP330-2onyx poweronyx solarOnyxOspp330-1OnyxOspp330-2OnyxPowerOnyxSolarOSPP330-1OSPP330-2powersolarsolar panelsolar powerSolarPanelSolarPowersunThu, 05 Jan 2012 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan Leaf to get inductive charging, lose its stem in 2013 (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/nissan-leaf-to-get-inductive-charging-lose-its-stem-in-2013-vi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/nissan-leaf-to-get-inductive-charging-lose-its-stem-in-2013-vi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/nissan-leaf-to-get-inductive-charging-lose-its-stem-in-2013-vi/#comments Nissan has big plans for the still-budding Leaf. The Japanese automaker lit up its impressive Leaf-powered Smart House at the Tokyo Motor Show last week, but also demoed its wireless charging solution for a much smaller crowd at the company's Oppama factory. The device uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power between a charging pad and a receiver on the bottom of the car, with an efficiency level between 80 and 90 percent -- simply park your EV directly above the system to begin charging, and monitor progress on the ground transmission unit's control panel. The pad is expected to become available as soon as 2013, but will only be compatible with new vehicles, so you won't be able to use it with an older Leaf, unfortunately. There's a silent demo video waiting for you just past the break.

Continue reading Nissan Leaf to get inductive charging, lose its stem in 2013 (video)

Nissan Leaf to get inductive charging, lose its stem in 2013 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcarschargingelectricelectric vehicleelectricityElectricVehicleevinductioninductiveinductive charginginductive powerInductiveChargingInductivePowerleafnissannissan carnissan carsnissan evnissan leafNissanCarNissanCarsNissanEvNissanLeafpowervehiclevehiclesvideowirelesswireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerMon, 05 Dec 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MIT slinks into a cafe, orders a side of photonic chips on silicon]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/mit-slinks-into-a-cafe-orders-a-side-of-photonic-chips-on-silic/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/mit-slinks-into-a-cafe-orders-a-side-of-photonic-chips-on-silic/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/25/mit-slinks-into-a-cafe-orders-a-side-of-photonic-chips-on-silic/#comments
Whiz-kids the world over have been making significant progress on the development of photonic chips -- devices that "use light beams instead of electrons to carry out their computational tasks." But now, MIT has taken the next major leap, filling in "a crucial piece of the puzzle" that just might allow for the creation of photonic chips on the standard silicon material that underlies most of today's electronics. Today, data can travel via light beams shot over through optical fibers, and once it arrives, it's "converted into electronic form, processed through electronic circuits and then converted back to light using a laser." What a waste. If MIT's research bears fruit, the resulting product could nix those extra steps, allowing the light signal to be processed directly. Caroline Ross, the Toyota Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, calls it a diode for light; to construct it, researchers had to locate a material that was both transparent and magnetic. In other words, a material that only exists in the Chamber of Secrets. Hit the source link for the rest of the tale.

MIT slinks into a cafe, orders a side of photonic chips on silicon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Caroline RossCarolineRosscircuitcircuitsdiodeelectricitylaserlightMITopticaloptical transmissionOpticalTransmissionphotonicprocessorsciencesilicontransmissionuniversityFri, 25 Nov 2011 11:16:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T exec discusses plans for home energy management service]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/atandt-exec-discusses-plans-for-home-energy-management-service/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/atandt-exec-discusses-plans-for-home-energy-management-service/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/22/atandt-exec-discusses-plans-for-home-energy-management-service/#commentsVerizon has already dipped its toes into the home energy management business, and it looks like AT&T is about to do the same as well. Speaking on a Broadband Breakfast panel in Washington, DC last week, AT&T Executive Director of Public Policy Jeffery Dygert revealed that the company is "in the process of developing" its own home energy management system, which would let users monitor their electricity usage and manage its use more efficiently. That service is said to be a part of the company's broader Digital Life Project, and it will apparently be marketed to both AT&T's wireless and wireline customers, but details remain otherwise light for the time being. Hit the source link below for a video of the panel discussion.

AT&T exec discusses plans for home energy management service originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attelectricityenergyhome energyhome energy managementHomeEnergyHomeEnergyManagementJeffery DygertJefferyDygertmobilepostcrossTue, 22 Nov 2011 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[IBM sees stacked silicon sitting in fluid as the way to power future PCs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/ibm-sees-stacked-silicon-sitting-in-fluid-as-the-way-to-power-fu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/ibm-sees-stacked-silicon-sitting-in-fluid-as-the-way-to-power-fu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/17/ibm-sees-stacked-silicon-sitting-in-fluid-as-the-way-to-power-fu/#commentsGenerally, the combination of microchips, electricity and fluids is usually considered an incredibly bad thing. IBM, however, thinks it can combine those three to make super small and super powerful computers in the future. The idea is to stack hundreds of silicon wafers and utilize dual fluidic networks between them to create 3D processors. In such a setup, one network carries in charged fluid to power the chip, while the second carries away the same fluid after it has picked up heat from the active transistors. Of course, 3D chips are already on the way, and liquid cooled components are nothing new, but powering a PC by fluids instead of wires has never been done before. Bruno Michel, who's leading Big Blue's research team, has high hopes for the technology, because future processors will need the extra cooling and reduced power consumption it can provide. Michel says he and his colleagues have demonstrated that it's possible to use a liquid to transfer power via a network of fluidic channels, and they to plan build a working prototype chip by 2014. If successful, your smartphone could eventually contain the power of the Watson supercomputer. Chop, chop, fellas, those futuristic fluidic networks aren't going to build themselves.

IBM sees stacked silicon sitting in fluid as the way to power future PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>201220142D3D3d processor3dProcessorblockBruno MichelBrunoMichelcoolingelectricityflowfluidicfluidic networkFluidicNetworkIBMIntelIvy BridgeIvyBridgeLaboratorylayeredliquidliquid coolingliquid poweredLiquidCoolingLiquidPoweredmicrochipsmicroscopicMoores LawMooresLawnetworkprocessorprocessorsprototypeResearchsmartphonesmartphonesSwitzerlandwaferZurichThu, 17 Nov 2011 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: quantum levitation, Zombie-Powered Vertical Farm and Macquariums]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/23/inhabitats-week-in-green-quantum-levitation-zombie-powered-ve/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/23/inhabitats-week-in-green-quantum-levitation-zombie-powered-ve/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/23/inhabitats-week-in-green-quantum-levitation-zombie-powered-ve/#comments Alternative transportation blasted off into the future this week as DeLorean revealed plans to launch an all-electric vehicle in 2013 and Richard Branson announced the official opening of the Virgin Galactic Gateway spaceport. Researchers also developed a next-gen quantum levitation technology that could lead to floating vehicles, and we spotted a cloud concept blimp that soars through the skies. We also brought you an exclusive interview with Revenge of the Electric Car director Chris Paine, and we shared a leaked brochure with specs on Toyota's new Prius C.

Renewable energy also rocketed towards a more sustainable tomorrow as Japan's team Tokai took first place in the World Solar Challenge and Apple filed a set of patents for next-generation solar technology. Meanwhile Facebook announced plans to launch a new energy efficiency app in 2012 and we launched a contest where you can win one of 25 $600 home energy audits. We also showcased a stunning set of satellite photos of the world's power lines, and since Halloween is on its way, we brought you a Zombie-Powered Vertical Farm designed to keep its inhabitants safe from the Living Dead.

Speaking of Halloween, this week we shared instructions for making a DIY cardboard box robot costume, and we launched our 2011 Green Halloween Costume Contest for kids. We also brought you several developments from the realm of eco textiles -- a material that repairs its own rips and tears and a Japanese company that recycles old bras into power-generating fuel. Finally, we showcased several slick developments in aqueous technology: an oil skimmer that cleans up spills four times faster, an artificial muscle that could one day propel nanobots through the body, and a quirky set of 'Macquariums' made from Apple iMacs.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: quantum levitation, Zombie-Powered Vertical Farm and Macquariums originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carecoeco-friendlyelectricityenergyevgatewaygreeninhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenrichard bransonRichardBransonsolarsolar powersolar poweredSolarPowerSolarPoweredspaceVirgin GalacticVirginGalacticweek in greenWeekInGreenSun, 23 Oct 2011 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/rohm-wireless-power-transmission-system-hands-on-video/#comments Wireless power demos abound at CEATEC, and Rohm Semiconductor had their own variant on hand with a complete mix of direct-draw gadgets, along with the omnipresent charging iPhone 4 (or was it a 4S?). Like Murata's prototype, the Rohm flavor uses square electrodes instead of the coils that you'll find in traditional wireless power solutions, like Qi. But unlike that seemingly identical solution from Murata, this version supports much greater power efficiency -- something in the 92 to 93 percent range (compared to the competing pad's 70-percent efficiency rating). That means that the prototype that we're looking at here loses just seven to eight percent of power during transmission -- which is still unacceptably high, mind you, but far more tolerable. Rohm's Wireless Power Transmission system also allows you to charge or power devices by placing them anywhere on the pad, rather than directly over charging positions, and it supports much greater transmission, with one prototype outputting up to 100 watts.

Since power efficiency isn't something we could verify visually, what we could see at the company's demo did appear to work quite well. Powering a gadget is as simple as dropping it on the pad. Well, resting it gently -- this is a prototype we're talking about, after all. The 50-watt pad was able to power a fan, LED light, and a couple of charging smartphones without issue. The light and fan jumped to full power as soon as they made contact. A second pad got the juices flowing to a large OLED light panel, which was plenty bright when positioned on its own pad, but glowed quite dim when joining other devices. There weren't any charging laptops on hand, like we saw over at Murata, but with power output at 50 and 100 watts, either pad could theoretically support it. Like many of the prototypes we've seen at CEATEC, there aren't any plans to actually bring the system to market, but the technology could be used in other devices. We go hands-on after the break.

Gallery: Rohm Wireless Power Supply System hands-on

Continue reading Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video)

Rohm Wireless Power Transmission system hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chargerchargingchibachiba japanChibaJapanelectricityhands-oninductiveinductive chargingInductiveChargingmobilepostcrossMuratapowerpowermatqirohmrohm powerrohm semiconductorrohm wireless powerRohmPowerRohmSemiconductorRohmWirelessPowertokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideowireless chargerwireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerThu, 06 Oct 2011 09:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/murata-wireless-power-transmission-system-supports-laptops-we-g/#comments Do we really need another wireless charging system that's incompatible with industry standards? Murata seems to think that we do. The company's prototype uses neither conductive nor inductive transmission, instead bringing its new capacitive coupling technology to the cordless charging mix. Capacitive coupling uses square transmitter and receiver electrodes, instead of the coils used with Qi devices. It also doesn't require a physical connection like near-obsolete conductive tech, which dictates that both the charging pad and receiving device use metal connectors that must be joined to transfer current. The Murata system is far from being production-ready, with only 70 percent efficiency (30 percent of electricity is lost during transmission). The sample the company had on hand can support 16 watts of output with a maximum of 2.1 amps, making each pad capable of charging several small gadgets, or one larger device, like a laptop.

Murata seemed more interested in demonstrating the concept behind capacitive coupling than actually proving that it works -- the laptop we saw "charging" was a plastic mockup, though the base did glow red when the laptop's charging pad came into contact (though it also glowed blue at times, as you can see in the image above). We did take a close look at an iPhone case, however, which appeared to be remarkably thin -- much thinner than models from Powermat, for example, though the case does extend below the dock connector. Another advantage of the square electrodes is that you don't need to place devices in a certain position on the mat in order for them to charge -- they simply need to be positioned within the general charging area. We take a closer look in the video after the break.

Gallery: Murata Wireless Power Transmission System

Continue reading Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video)

Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceatecceatec 2011Ceatec2011chargerchargingchibachiba japanChibaJapanelectricityhands-oninductiveinductive chargingInductiveChargingmobilepostcrossMuratapowerpowermatqitokyotokyo japanTokyoJapanvideowireless chargerwireless chargingwireless powerWirelessChargerWirelessChargingWirelessPowerWed, 05 Oct 2011 07:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Piezoelectric system turns your balmy breath into pungent power]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/piezoelectric-system-converts-your-balmy-breath-to-pungent-power/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/piezoelectric-system-converts-your-balmy-breath-to-pungent-power/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/05/piezoelectric-system-converts-your-balmy-breath-to-pungent-power/#commentsResearchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have come up with a way to produce electricity from just about the most renewable source known to man -- his own breath. It's all thanks to a plastic microbelt developed by engineers Xudong Wang, Chengliang Sun and Jian Shi. Made of a material known as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), this belt produces an electric charge whenever low-speed airflow passes over it and causes it to vibrate -- a result of that vaunted piezoelectric effect. Eventually, Wang and his team were able to tinker with their system to the point where it could produce enough current to charge small electronic devices. "The airflow of normal human respiration is typically below about two meters per second," Wang explained. "We calculated that if we could make this material thin enough, small vibrations could produce a microwatt of electrical energy that could be useful for sensors or other devices implanted in the face." The researchers say their technology could be used to power smaller biomedical devices like blood monitors and pacemaker batteries, which typically don't demand vast amounts of energy. No word yet on when this system could make its way to the mainstream, but we'll be waiting with bated breath.

Piezoelectric system turns your balmy breath into pungent power originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airflowbiomedicalbreathbreathingelectricityenergyengineeringglucose monitorGlucoseMonitorhealthhumanpacemakerpiezoelectricplastic microbeltPlasticMicrobeltpolyvinylidene fluoridePolyvinylideneFluoridepowerPVDFrenewableresearchrespirationuniversity of wisconsin-madisonUniversityOfWisconsin-madisonWed, 05 Oct 2011 04:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Microbial fuel cell produces hydrogen from wastewater without wasting energy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/microbial-fuel-cell-produces-hydrogen-from-wastewater-without-wa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/microbial-fuel-cell-produces-hydrogen-from-wastewater-without-wa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/microbial-fuel-cell-produces-hydrogen-from-wastewater-without-wa/#commentsBack in 2005, Bruce Logan and his team of Penn State researchers developed a microbial fuel cell capable of converting poop into power. Now, Logan has refined his system to the point where it can produce hydrogen from wastewater or biodegradable organic materials without using a drop of grid electricity, and without emitting even a hint of carbon dioxide. His approach, outlined in the September 19th issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involves something known as reverse-electrodialysis (RED) -- a process that harvests energy from the ionic discrepancy between fresh and salt water. Logan's bacterial hydrolysis cell (pictured left) features a so-called RED stack that's comprised of alternating positive and negative ion exchange membranes, which it uses to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Normally, this process would involve about 25 pairs of membranes, but by using RED technology in conjunction with electricity-producing exoelectrogenic bacteria, Penn State's team was able to extract hydrogen with just five membrane pairs. All told, Logan's cells proved to be about 58 to 64 percent energy efficient, while producing between 0.8 to 1.6 cubic meters of hydrogen for every cubic meter of liquid that passed through the system. The researchers' results show that only one percent of that energy was used to pump water through the cells, which are completely carbon neutral, as well. According to Logan, this breakthrough demonstrates that "pure hydrogen gas can efficiently be produced from virtually limitless supplies of seawater and river water and biodegradable organic matter." Somewhere, the US Navy is taking scrupulous notes. Full PR after the break.

[Image courtesy of Penn State / Bruce Logan]

Continue reading Microbial fuel cell produces hydrogen from wastewater without wasting energy

Microbial fuel cell produces hydrogen from wastewater without wasting energy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bacteriabacterial hydrolysis cellBacterialHydrolysisCellbruce loganBruceLogancarboncarbon dioxidecarbon neutralCarbonDioxideCarbonNeutralelectricityelectrodialysisenergyengineeringexoelectrogenic bacteriaExoelectrogenicBacteriagridhydrogenhydrogen fuelhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelHydrogenFuelCellhydrolysisionicmembranemembrane pairMembranePairmicrobial fuelmicrobial fuel cellMicrobialFuelMicrobialFuelCellpenn statePenn State UniversityPennStatePennStateUniversityREDRED stackRedStackresearchreverse-electrodialysissaltsalt waterSaltWaterstudywaterThu, 22 Sep 2011 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Superconducting sapphire wires are as cool as they sound]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/09/superconducting-sapphire-wires-are-as-cool-as-they-sound/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/09/superconducting-sapphire-wires-are-as-cool-as-they-sound/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/09/superconducting-sapphire-wires-are-as-cool-as-they-sound/#commentsCopper wire's relatively cheap, pliable and can conduct electricity, but it's hardly ideal. Powering cities requires cables meters wide and the metal loses a lot of energy as heat. Fortunately, a team from Tel Aviv University thinks it's solved the problem. Borrowing a fiber of sapphire from the Oakridge National Lab in Tennessee, it developed a superconducting wire barely thicker than a human hair that conducts 40 times the electricity of its copper brethren. Cooled with liquid nitrogen, the sapphire superconductors carry current without heating up, which is key to their efficiency. The team is now working on practical applications of the technology -- because it's so small and pliable (unlike previous superconductors) it could replace copper in domestic settings and its cold efficiency makes it perfect to transmit power long distances from green energy stations. The wire's going on a world tour as we speak and will touch down at the ATSC conference in Baltimore in October. Anyone who makes jokes about wires and Baltimore will be asked to leave, politely.

Superconducting sapphire wires are as cool as they sound originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Boaz AlmogBoazAlmogCopper WireCopperWireElectricityElectricity CableElectricityCableGuy DeutscherGuyDeutscherMishael AzoulayMishaelAzoulayOakRidge National LabOakridge National Lab TennesseeOakridge National LaboratoryOakridgeNationalLabOakridgeNationalLaboratoryOakridgeNationalLabTennesseeORNLPower CablePowerCableRaymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and AstronomyRaymondAndBeverlySacklerSchoolOfPhysicsAndAstronomyResearchSapphireSapphire FiberSapphire FibreSapphire WireSapphireFiberSapphireFibreSapphireWireSuperconducting WireSuperconductingWiresuperconductorTel Aviv UniversityTelAvivUniversityFri, 09 Sep 2011 05:07:00 EST<![CDATA[EnergyHub's energy management system on sale now to American planetlovers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/31/energyhubs-energy-management-system-on-sale-now-to-american-pla/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/31/energyhubs-energy-management-system-on-sale-now-to-american-pla/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/31/energyhubs-energy-management-system-on-sale-now-to-american-pla/#commentsThose Smart Meters may not have went over so well in San Francisco, and Google may have shuttered PowerMeter just a few months ago... but that doesn't mean that Ma Earth is doomed to live a life a few centigrade higher than she should, right? EnergyHub has just announced that its snazzily designed energy monitoring system is now on sale for eco-minded folk in the USA, with $399 netting you a home base, a socket, a strip and a wireless thermostat (simpler bundles start at $299). According to the company, this kit's ready to take on shacks, apartments or even houseboats, though no seal of approval from the Old Spice guy has been garnered in the case of the latter. Previously, this here package was only available through utility-sponsored programs, but now the simpleton in your life can see live energy use information, automatically switch appliances off while one's away and sleeping, and even control settings remotely via the web or an iPhone / Android app. Head on past the break for an introductory video, or visit the source links to get in on the buying frenzy.

Continue reading EnergyHub's energy management system on sale now to American planetlovers

EnergyHub's energy management system on sale now to American planetlovers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conservationecoeco-friendlyelectricityenergyenergy monitoringenergyhubEnergyMonitoringgreengreen livingGreenLivingnow availableNowAvailableoutletsshipshippingshipsvideoWed, 31 Aug 2011 18:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: Lighting superbike, kinetic energy generator and vibrating gloves]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/inhabitats-week-in-green-lighting-superbike-kinetic-energy-ge/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/inhabitats-week-in-green-lighting-superbike-kinetic-energy-ge/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/inhabitats-week-in-green-lighting-superbike-kinetic-energy-ge/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

It's been an epic week for environmental news as Inhabitat reported that the East Coast battened its hatches against the force of Hurricane Irene, which has arrived in the wake of a 5.8 earthquake that shook the Eastern Seaboard from Virginia to New York. We compiled a series of tips to help our readers weather the storm, and we took a closer look at the six nuclear power plants that were shaken by the East Coast's unusual quake. We also showcased several incredible examples of high-tech architecture -- the recently crowned world's tallest LEED platinum building and the world's longest tunnel, which Russia recently announced would span the Bering Straight.

Speaking of remarkable advancements in sustainable transportation, this week we took at look at what could be most powerful electric car on earth, and we brought you footage of the 200 mph Lighting superbike breaking a world land speed record. We also saw eco vehicles take off for greener horizons as Oliver VTOL unveiled an ultra-efficient airplane with 6 engines, a team of engineers in Africa constructed a DIY space shuttle in a local garden, and the flying ParaMoto Trike soared through the skies. On the topic of air travel, you may also want to check out our six tips for flying with small children (without Benadryl).

It was a big week for wearable technology as well, as researchers unveiled a powerful kinetic energy generator that can fit in your sneakers. We also saw a vibrating glove that improves motor performance, a haptic glove that allows the blind to see with sonar, and a range of antenna-embedded clothing that offers a discreet form of hands-free communication. Finally, we heard Ashton Kutcher predict that wearable technology will be the next big wave, and we shared a glow-in-the-dark sequin gown that would make a choice piece of evening wear if this weekend's storm knocks the lights out.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Lighting superbike, kinetic energy generator and vibrating gloves originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columneco-friendlyelectricityenergygeneratorgloveglovesgreenhurricanehurricane ireneHurricaneIreneinhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenirenepowervibratingwearableSun, 28 Aug 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Electrowetted insoles charge your strut, The Police stand by for music licensing deal]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/27/electrowetted-insoles-charge-your-strut-the-police-stand-by-for/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/27/electrowetted-insoles-charge-your-strut-the-police-stand-by-for/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/27/electrowetted-insoles-charge-your-strut-the-police-stand-by-for/#comments Every move you make is another ten watts you waste. Which is why researchers at InStep NanoPower are working towards taking that spring in your step, and turning it into juice for your gadgets. Flipping the process of electrowetting on its head, whereby mechanical energy is converted into electricity via a microfluid transfer, the team was able to pound some pavement-generated milliwatts out of mercury and galinstan. The tech is far from a real world debut, with its practical, portable device-powering merits achievable only in theory. So, until this device manages to get off the ground, we're going to lump it in with past piezoelectric efforts, and call it like it is -- pics, or it didn't happen.

Electrowetted insoles charge your strut, The Police stand by for music licensing deal originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electricityelectrowettingfootwearInStep NanoPowerInstepNanopowernanopowerpiezoelectricSat, 27 Aug 2011 05:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: data centers accounted for just 1 to 1.5 percent of electricity use last year, Google claims less than 1 percent of that]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/report-data-centers-accounted-for-just-1-to-1-5-percent-of-elec/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/report-data-centers-accounted-for-just-1-to-1-5-percent-of-elec/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/report-data-centers-accounted-for-just-1-to-1-5-percent-of-elec/#comments You'd think, watching companies like Apple break ground on sprawling data centers, that the number of servers powering our untethered lives was on the rise. In a different decade, you might have been right. But not this one. According to a study prepared at the request of The New York Times, the number of servers in use has declined "significantly" since 2005. That's mostly because of the financial crisis of 2008, says lead researcher Jonathan G. Koomey of Stanford University, but we also can't discount the effect of more efficient technologies. What's more, he says, servers worldwide consume less energy than you might have guessed: they accounted for somewhere between 1 and 1.5 percent of global electricity use in 2010. And while Google, the king of cloud computing, has been cagey about revealing just how many servers house its treasure trove of data, the company said that of that 1 to 1.5 percent, it accounted for less than 1 percent -- meaning, just a hundredth of a percent of all the electricity consumed last year. All told, data centers' energy consumption has risen 56 percent since 2005 -- a far cry from the EPAs 2007 prediction that this figure would double by 2010, with annual costs ballooning to $7.4 billion. Then again, this slower-than-expected growth could well be temporary. Though Koomey can't specify to what extent the financial crisis and technological advancements are to blame, he insists, broadly speaking, that we're primarily seeing fallout from the economic slowdown -- a stay of execution, of sorts, for those of us rooting for energy conservation.

Report: data centers accounted for just 1 to 1.5 percent of electricity use last year, Google claims less than 1 percent of that originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appledata centerdata centersDataCenterDataCentersefficiencyefficientelectricityenergyenergy consumptionenergy efficiencyenergy efficientenergy useEnergyConsumptionEnergyEfficiencyEnergyEfficientEnergyUseEPAGooglegreengreen techgreen technologyGreenTechGreenTechnologyJonathan G. KoomeyJonathan KoomeyJonathanG.KoomeyJonathanKoomeyNew York TimesNewYorkTimesNYTimespowerpower consumptionPowerConsumptionserverserversStanfordStanford UniversityStanfordUniversityTue, 02 Aug 2011 16:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers use graphene to draw energy from flowing water, self-powered micro-robots to follow?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/researchers-use-graphene-to-draw-energy-from-flowing-water-self/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/researchers-use-graphene-to-draw-energy-from-flowing-water-self/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/researchers-use-graphene-to-draw-energy-from-flowing-water-self/#commentsWhat can't graphene do? The wonder material's been at the heart of a stunning number of technological breakthroughs of late, and now it's adding oil exploration to its long list of achievements. A team of researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have discovered that the flow of good old H2O over a sheet of graphene can generate enough electricity to power "tiny sensors" used in tracking down oil deposits. The gang, led by professor Nikhil Koratkar, was able to suck 85 nanowatts of power out of a slab of graphene measuring .03 by .015 millimeters. The little sensors the researchers speak of are pumped into potential oil wells via a stream of water, and are then put to work sniffing out hydrocarbons indicative of hidden pockets of oil and natural gas. Of course, that doesn't have a whole lot of practical application for your average gadget consumer, but Koraktar sees a future filled with tiny water-powered robots and micro-submarines -- we can dig it.

Researchers use graphene to draw energy from flowing water, self-powered micro-robots to follow? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electricityenergygraphenemicro robotmicro robotsmicro sensorsMicroRobotMicroRobotsMicroSensorsNikhil KoratkarNikhilKoratkarphysicspowerRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteRensselaerPolytechnicInstituterobotrobotssensorsensorstinywaterwater powerwater poweredWaterPowerWaterPoweredThu, 21 Jul 2011 10:53:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo to power cellphone towers with renewable energy, tenderness]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/ntt-docomo-to-power-cellphone-towers-with-renewable-energy-tend/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/ntt-docomo-to-power-cellphone-towers-with-renewable-energy-tend/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/ntt-docomo-to-power-cellphone-towers-with-renewable-energy-tend/#comments When they're not busy carving handsets out of teak (or rockin' out with their pupils), the folks over at NTT DoCoMo apparently focus their efforts on saving the environment. Next year, the Japanese provider will begin outfitting its expansive cellphone tower network with ten "green transmission stations," to be powered by an artillery of biofuels, wind and solar energy. This kind of infrastructure would obviously bring a smile to the face of ol' Mama Nature, but it could also help mitigate the adverse effects of power outages and elfin insurgents. And for that, we should all be grateful.

NTT DoCoMo to power cellphone towers with renewable energy, tenderness originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelcell phone towercellphone towerCellphoneTowerDoCoMoelectricityenergyenvironmentenvironmentalismgreenjapannetworknttntt docomoNttDocomorenewable energyRenewableEnergysolar energysolar powerSolarEnergySolarPowertowerwindwind energyWindEnergyMon, 11 Jul 2011 20:12:00 EST<![CDATA[IBM develops 'instantaneous' memory, 100x faster than flash]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/embargo-ibm-develops-instantaneous-memory-100x-faster-than-fl/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/embargo-ibm-develops-instantaneous-memory-100x-faster-than-fl/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/30/embargo-ibm-develops-instantaneous-memory-100x-faster-than-fl/#comments You've got to hand it to IBM's engineers. They drag themselves into work after their company's 100th birthday party, pop a few Alka-Seltzers and then promptly announce yet another seismic invention. This time it's a new kind of phase change memory (PCM) that reads and writes 100 times faster than flash, stays reliable for millions of write-cycles (as opposed to just thousands with flash), and is cheap enough to be used in anything from enterprise-level servers all the way down to mobile phones. PCM is based on a special alloy that can be nudged into different physical states, or phases, by controlled bursts of electricity. In the past, the technology suffered from the tendency of one of the states to relax and increase its electrical resistance over time, leading to read errors. Another limitation was that each alloy cell could only store a single bit of data. But IBM employees burn through problems like these on their cigarette breaks: not only is their latest variant more reliable, it can also store four data bits per cell, which means we can expect a data storage "paradigm shift" within the next five years. Combine this with Intel's promised 50Gbps interconnect, which has a similar ETA, and data will start flowing faster than booze from an open bar on the boss's tab. There's more detailed science in the PR after the break, if you have a clear head.

Continue reading IBM develops 'instantaneous' memory, 100x faster than flash

IBM develops 'instantaneous' memory, 100x faster than flash originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alloycelldatadiscoverydurabilityelectricityflashIBMinventionmemoryparadigm shiftParadigmShiftPCMphasephase changephase change memoryPhaseChangePhaseChangeMemoryspeedvoltageThu, 30 Jun 2011 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[New phase-changing alloy turns waste heat into green energy, exhibits spontaneous magnetism (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/25/new-phase-changing-alloy-turns-waste-heat-into-green-energy-exh/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/25/new-phase-changing-alloy-turns-waste-heat-into-green-energy-exh/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/25/new-phase-changing-alloy-turns-waste-heat-into-green-energy-exh/#commentsNew phase-changing alloy turns waste heat into green energy, exhibits spontaneous magnetism (video)Looks like harvesting waste heat is all the rage in 2011. Yet another team of researchers -- this time at the University of Minnesota -- has found a way to harness energy from our hot castoffs. The group has apparently created a brand spanking new alloy that spontaneously creates energy when its temperature is raised by a small amount. Future uses for the material, known as Ni45Co5Mn40Sn10, include charging a hybrid car's battery with the help of waste heat from its exhaust. So what's the trick? Well, this wonder material is a phase changer, meaning it can go from non-magnetic to magnetic in moments, when the temperature rises. When that happens, the alloy absorbs heat, and bam! You've got electricity. The team is also collaborating with chemical engineers to create a thin film version of the material that could be used to convert waste heat from computers. If phase changing gets you all hot and bothered, check out a video demonstration of the alloy's sudden magnetism after the break.

Continue reading New phase-changing alloy turns waste heat into green energy, exhibits spontaneous magnetism (video)

New phase-changing alloy turns waste heat into green energy, exhibits spontaneous magnetism (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 08:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alloyelectricityenergygreen energyGreenEnergymagneticmagnetic alloyMagneticAlloymagnetismphase changephase change alloyPhaseChangePhaseChangeAlloyRichard D. JamesRichard jamesRichardD.JamesRichardJamesuniversity of minnesotaUniversityOfMinnesotavideowaste heatwaste heat conversionwaste heat convertingwaste heat harvestingWasteHeatWasteHeatConversionWasteHeatConvertingWasteHeatHarvestingSat, 25 Jun 2011 08:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Thin film coating makes everlasting energy a piezoelectric possibility]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/thin-film-coating-makes-everlasting-energy-a-piezoelectric-possi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/thin-film-coating-makes-everlasting-energy-a-piezoelectric-possi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/22/thin-film-coating-makes-everlasting-energy-a-piezoelectric-possi/#comments Let's be honest, it's no big secret that we're running out of dead dinosaurs to fuel our lives. And with recent natural catastrophes proving atomic energy isn't what you'd call 'safe,' it's a good thing the researchers down at the RMIT University in Melbourne have been hard at work figuring out how to turn you into a self-sustained energy source. Marrying piezoelectrics with a thin film microchip coating, those scientists Down Under have for the first time identified just how much energy your pressure can generate. This is certainly not the first time the tech has been put to use -- Orange UK's been doing something similar, albeit bulkier, for the Glastonbury fest each year. What are some practical uses, you ask? Imagine a gym powered by a sea of workout-hamsters, each producing significant energy from the soles of their feet. Curious for more? Try a pacemaker that runs solely on blood pressure, or a laptop charged by banging out Facebook updates. Who knows, maybe even RIM can put this to use in its next Storm. Just sayin'.

[Image courtesy Alberto Villarreal]

Thin film coating makes everlasting energy a piezoelectric possibility originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 02:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative energyalternative fuelAlternativeEnergyAlternativeFuelelectricityenergynanotechnanotechnologypiezoelectricpiezoelectricspowerresearchthin filmthin film coatthin film coatingthinfilmThinFilmCoatThinFilmCoatinguniversityWed, 22 Jun 2011 02:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Battery-less transmitters pave the way for wireless baby sensors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/battery-less-transimitters-pave-the-way-for-wireless-baby-sensor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/battery-less-transimitters-pave-the-way-for-wireless-baby-sensor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/battery-less-transimitters-pave-the-way-for-wireless-baby-sensor/#commentsThe radio waves that saturate the air around us may, or may not, give us headaches and cancer, but we can tell you for certain they're capable of powering tiny wireless chips. Renesas Electronics Corp has created a new ultra-low power wireless transmitter that can push data to both Bluetooth and WiFi receivers without the need for a battery or AC adapter. Instead of the typical tens of milliwatts, the little transmitters require only a few microwatts of power, which can be harvested from environmental radio waves through LC resonance. The creators envision adhesive sensors that send a baby's body temperature to laptops and ads that beam coupons to smartphones over short distances -- you know, the sort of stuff NFC can do, but without the specialized hardware.

Battery-less transmitters pave the way for wireless baby sensors originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothelectricitylow powerLowPowerNFCpowerradioradio wavesRadioWavesRenesasRenesas Electronics CorpRenesasElectronicsCorptransmitterultra-low powerUltra-lowPowerwifiwirelessWed, 15 Jun 2011 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp begins Eco House evaluation in Japan, aims for eco-friendly tech mecca]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/13/sharp-begins-eco-house-evaluation-in-japan-aims-for-eco-friendl/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/13/sharp-begins-eco-house-evaluation-in-japan-aims-for-eco-friendl/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/13/sharp-begins-eco-house-evaluation-in-japan-aims-for-eco-friendl/#comments Looking at vacation homes in Osaka, are you? If you happen upon a blueprint that looks anything like the crib shown above, we're guessing that it'll cost you a pretty penny. Er, yen. Sharp has just started the evaluation process on its newly completed Eco House -- an abode that aims to emit precisely zero carbon emissions while not compromising on the technology within it. It's outfitted with a cadre of energy-saving appliances and AQUOS TVs, all networked in via HEMS and programmed to display energy usage to whatever landlord decides to stop by for the day. Not surprisingly, some of the energy is being sourced from photovoltaic modules, and we're told that a downright absurd 180-inch LCD will be "evaluated for suitability to today's green-conscious world." Something tells us the company won't have too many issues finding volunteers to occupy the joint.

Sharp begins Eco House evaluation in Japan, aims for eco-friendly tech mecca originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aquoseco-friendlyelectricityEnergygreenHEMSjapanpowersharpSharp Eco HouseSharpEcoHouseMon, 13 Jun 2011 08:47:00 EST<![CDATA[New 'semi-solid' battery could recharge EVs as fast as pumping gas]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/new-semi-solid-battery-for-evs-could-recharge-as-fast-as-pumpi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/new-semi-solid-battery-for-evs-could-recharge-as-fast-as-pumpi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/new-semi-solid-battery-for-evs-could-recharge-as-fast-as-pumpi/#comments Researchers at MIT reckon they've struck oil. In fact, you're looking at what they call "Cambridge crude" -- a substance that could halve the weight and cost of EV batteries and make them quicker to charge too. The black goo is packed with a high concentration of energy in the form of particles suspended in a liquid electrolyte. When separated by a filter, these particles function as mobile electrodes that can be pumped into and around a system before the energy is released. So instead of waiting up to 20 hours to juice your Nissan Leaf, you could potentially just pump this pre-charged substance into it -- rather like dirty old gas. Until now, no such "semi-solid flow cell" has been able to hold useful quantities of energy, but this stuff literally oozes with it. Not only could it power EVs, it could even be used for large-scale electricity storage for utilities. The researchers insist this energy revolution is years off -- but when it comes, there will be blood.

New 'semi-solid' battery could recharge EVs as fast as pumping gas originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterychemical engineeringChemicalEngineeringdischargeelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarelectricityElectricVehicleelectrodeelectrodesenergyenergy storageEnergyStorageEVgaslithium batterieslithium batteryLithium IonLithiumBatteriesLithiumBatteryLithiumIonmassachusetts institute of technologyMassachusettsInstituteOfTechnologyMIToilpetrolpetroleumpowerWed, 08 Jun 2011 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple patent app sheds light on wireless charging dreams, NFMR love affair]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/apple-patent-app-sheds-light-on-wireless-charging-dreams-nfmr-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/apple-patent-app-sheds-light-on-wireless-charging-dreams-nfmr-l/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/apple-patent-app-sheds-light-on-wireless-charging-dreams-nfmr-l/#comments Apple threw quite the wireless party by introducing PC Free and iCloud at yesterday's WWDC keynote, but it seems that the engineers in Cupertino may have even more tricks up their sleeve. Judging by a recently filed patent application, the company's hoping to add charging to its list of cord-cutting services. Specifically, the patent describes building a NFMR (near-field magnetic resolution) power supply directly into your iMac so it can charge your iPhone, iPad, or even peripherals -- such as a keyboard or mouse, when equipped with a special antenna -- without the assistance of your ol' trusty charging cords or batteries. Sporting a somewhat mature iMac that's operating sans NFMR? Pop a special USB dongle in that bad boy and presto, you're good to go. The patent points out that the range is limited to one meter, though there may be ways to install repeaters in peripherals to extend that distance further. Of course, patents won't guarantee we'll be grabbing the scissors to cut our cords anytime soon, but at least we won't have to rely on these things for the rest of eternity.

Filed under:

Apple patent app sheds light on wireless charging dreams, NFMR love affair originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaapplechargechargingdongleelectricityenergyiMacinductive chargingInductiveChargingiOSiPadiPhoneiPod TouchIpodTouchNFMRpatentpatent apppatent applicationPatentAppPatentApplicationperipheralspowerrepeaterusbUSB dongleUsbDonglewirelesswireless chargingWirelessChargingTue, 07 Jun 2011 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Google's search for future profit targets the Sun, not just the cloud]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/googles-search-for-future-profit-targets-the-sun-not-just-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/googles-search-for-future-profit-targets-the-sun-not-just-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/06/googles-search-for-future-profit-targets-the-sun-not-just-the/#comments
These humble-looking contraptions were revealed in a Google patent application for a "heliostat control system" that automatically adjusts solar thermal mirrors to their optimal energy-harvesting angle. A camera and computer are housed in the central tower that receives heat from the mirrors, and together they detect when a heliostat is misaligned and then correct it using actuators. Sound like a strange distraction for an Internet company? Google thinks not. It's already invested $168 million in the world's largest solar tower in the Mojave Desert as part of its effort to both reduce its own massive electricity bill and diversify its business. It's also currently hiring three new technical staff to make this happen. Interested?

Google's search for future profit targets the Sun, not just the cloud originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electricityenergygooglegreen energygreen technologyGreenEnergyGreenTechnologyheliostatheliostat control systemHeliostatControlSystemrenewable energyrenewable fuelsRenewableEnergyRenewableFuelssolarsolar energysolar powerSolarEnergySolarPowerMon, 06 Jun 2011 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientist cooks up adjustable strength metals]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/04/scientist-cooks-up-adjustable-strength-metals/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/04/scientist-cooks-up-adjustable-strength-metals/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/04/scientist-cooks-up-adjustable-strength-metals/#comments Adjustable strength metal As you may know, crafting a katana is a delicate process that involves carefully constructing a razor-sharp high-carbon edge around a soft shock-absorbent core. One day though, smiths and forging fires could be replaced by electrode-wielding mad-scientists, with the technology to selectively harden and soften metal at will. At least that's what we envisioned when we read about Jörg Weißmüller's breakthrough research in the field of nanomaterials. The German scientist discovered that by placing precious metals in acid he could create tiny ducts through corrosion. Once those channels are flooded with a conductive liquid, electrical currents can be used to harden the material and, if you change your mind about the brittle results, the effect can easily be reversed to make it soft again. The tech could eventually lead to self-healing vehicle armor or scratch-resistant cellphones -- but, really, we just want to zap our way to a high-quality samurai sword.

Scientist cooks up adjustable strength metals originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Jun 2011 01:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adjustableelectricitygermanyJörg WeißmüllersJörgWeißmüllersmetalnanonano materialnano materialsnano technologyNanoMaterialNanoMaterialsNanoTechnologyprogrammableresearchSat, 04 Jun 2011 01:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Beacon Power completing construction of 20-megawatt flywheel plant, the world's largest]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/03/beacon-power-completing-construction-of-20-megawatt-flywheel-pla/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/03/beacon-power-completing-construction-of-20-megawatt-flywheel-pla/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/03/beacon-power-completing-construction-of-20-megawatt-flywheel-pla/#comments
Remember Beacon Power, that startup using 2,800-pound flywheels to cut noxious emissions? Well, three years later, the company is wrapping up construction of its first plant, a 20-megawatt operation that just happens to be the world's largest. The Stephentown, NY facility is home to 200 of these flywheels, which store and output energy as needed, essentially matching the power supply with the demands of the grid. The result, the company promises, is reduced energy waste and stable electrical frequencies hovering around 60Hz. And while the plant's already up and running at 18 megawatts, it won't be until later this month that Beacon finishes building it out so that it reaches its full capacity. Full PR and champagne-popping celebration plans after the break.

Gallery: Beacon Power's Stephentown, NY flywheel plant

Continue reading Beacon Power completing construction of 20-megawatt flywheel plant, the world's largest

Beacon Power completing construction of 20-megawatt flywheel plant, the world's largest originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelAlternativeFuelBeacon PowerBeaconPowerclean energyCleanEnergyelectricityenergyenergy storageEnergyStorageflywheelgreengridnew yorkNew York StateNewYorkNewYorkStateFri, 03 Jun 2011 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[uBeam wireless power startup shows prototype at D9 (video hands-on)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ubeam-wireless-power-startup-shows-prototype-at-d9-video-hands/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ubeam-wireless-power-startup-shows-prototype-at-d9-video-hands/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ubeam-wireless-power-startup-shows-prototype-at-d9-video-hands/#comments As seems to be the case each year, one or two stars show up to demonstrate new technology here at the All Things D 'Science Fair,' and it just so happens that a pair from the University of Pennsylvania are soaking up the limelight this go 'round. uBeam's the company, and based on what we saw at D9, we're guessing that you'll be hearing an awful lot more from the duo in the coming months. The company's mission is to provide wireless power -- hardly a new concept, but it's all sorts of refreshing to see what's often thought of as a pipe dream get an injection of reality. The outfit is literally comprised of two people for the moment, with the prototype shown here concocted just a few weeks ago.

The goal? To get uBeam transmitters installed in as many locales as possible, and then to hit critical mass from a device standpoint. Imagine walking into a restaurant with uBeam transmitters in the ceiling, and watching your handset magically recharge as you await your appetizer. Granted, the outfit's a long way from that -- its first product will be a small charging puck that'll connect to a bevy of USB devices. That'll pair with an enterprise or consumer-level transmitter, a device that will ideally be situated in a ceiling. For now, things are strictly line-of-sight, but the shipping system will be able to detect a uBeam puck in the room and charge it if it's anywhere within a 20 to 30 foot radius. We're told that the consumer version will be suitable for piping power to just a handful of devices, whereas the enterprise build will be able to juice up an undisclosed amount more. Care to learn more? Head on past the break.

Gallery: uBeam wireless power demonstration hands-on at D9

Continue reading uBeam wireless power startup shows prototype at D9 (video hands-on)

uBeam wireless power startup shows prototype at D9 (video hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all things dall things d 2011AllThingsDAllThingsD2011d9d9 2011D92011demoelectricityenergyhands-onpowerstartupubeamvideowireless energywireless powerWirelessEnergyWirelessPowerWed, 01 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST