An American team researchers has to develop a Cellphone without battery. A technical feat that could revolutionize the use of these ubiquitous objects in our lives.
An evolution against the trend
Cellphones, which appeared just over twenty years ago, quickly invaded our lives. There are now more than 7 billion subscriptions in the world, about as much as being human. This tool is now everywhere, including in poor areas where some basic needs (food, water, ...) are only difficult to satisfy.This huge market therefore stimulates a race for technological innovation, the most notable of which is the invention of the smartphone. Our phones are constantly more efficient and more expensive. In return for their many applications and other options, these machines always consume more energy. Taking the opposite of this industry-wide rise, it is thus to this ergonomic problem that researchers at the University of Washington wanted to tackle.
A Cellphone without battery
They managed to develop the first phone without a battery. A real technical prowess. No more need to recharge his laptop, more likely to see it turn off (obviously at the worst time). From an ecological and social point of view, it is also a significant step forward when we know the conditions for the exploitation of cobalt in Africa (the essential ore for the battery factory). But in order to succeed this Tour de force, it has already had to minimize its energy consumption. The "first mobile phone that consumes almost no energy", as Shyam Gollakota calls it, consumes only a few microwatts.How this energy, while tiny amount, is therefore stored in the machine? Scientists crossed two methods: first, the phone is equipped with a photodiode which converts the surrounding light radiation into energy. On the other hand, developers have implemented a base station that emits radio signals. In fact, this station is the cornerstone of their innovation.
The cost in terms of performance
As can be expected, this advanced ergonomics has a high cost in terms of performance (especially compared to the small technological jewels sold today). The appearance of the phone should also bring us to all the flea in the ear. It doesn't have all the appearance of an object of mass consumption. It consists in everything and for everything a circuit of the photodiode, a keyboard, a speaker and a microphone.An appearance somewhat rustic.
Because even by removing all the possible options on this type of object, the simple fact of communicating consumes a lot of energy. The trick of the researchers was to change the transmission of the signals. Usually the analog signal of the voice is converted to digital format, which consumes a lot of energy. This phone converts the sounds into radio signals thanks to its antenna and base station: When speaking, the station converts the sounds captured by the microphone into radio data; To listen, the signal is decoded and goes through the speaker. Thus, a button is added, as in walkie-talkies, to be able to switch from listening mode to Speech mode. The sound quality of the conversation is very bad.
A prototype that opens up new horizons
Researchers have big plans for their creation. First and foremost, we need to extend its scope. Currently, he works less than 10 meters from its base station. They would quickly reach a distance of 15 meters. It wouldn't exactly be the same as a cell phone, but scientists also think long-term: due to the low cost of the station, it is perfectly plausible according to them to integrate in internet routers. In theory, this phone without battery could easily have coverage equivalent to that of its competitors more efficient.Above all, they would add a number of items on their phone, such as encryption of conversations, and especially a screen. The next goal is to make use of the video. Whatever it is, their project is sufficiently promising for attention: they are financed in part by a background of google. With the miniaturization possibilities it offers, this phone could fit into clothes for example. What would be the point of departure for a breakthrough in the field of communications.
Credit : Dailygeekshow
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