According to a recent report on CNN Money a Pennsylvania startup company named Powercast and its investors (including big names like Philips) are launching a device that is powered by electricity that travels not through your standard wires, but through the air!
It may sound futuristic, but Powercast’s platform uses nothing more complex than a radio–and is cheap enough for just about any company to incorporate into a product. A transmitter plugs into the wall, and a dime-size receiver (the real innovation, costing about $5 to make) can be embedded into any low-voltage device. The receiver turns radio waves into DC electricity, recharging the device’s battery at a distance of up to 3 feet.
This is something I’ve been looking forward to since I read a book on Nikola Tesla a couple of years ago called Tesla: Man Out of Time. Reportely, the unusual genius was able to power a variety of lights and other machinery without the use of wires… back in the early 1900’s!
. Reportely, the unusual genius was able to power a variety of lights and other machinery without the use of wires… back in the early 1900’s!Speaking of the book, it was a very enjoyable read- the mysteries surrounding Tesla form an important part of the narrative, making it both fun and historically informative. Again, it’s been a number of years since I read it, so my ability to review it at this time is limited. If you’re interested, there’s a newer edition available now that you can pick up at amazon: Tesla: Man Out of Time
Speaking of sending things through the air, it’d be handy if I could do that with the book- I actually borrowed it from a friend and forgot to return it! I guess that means I should re-read it at some point. 🙂
Like this post?
Help me out by submitting this to Digg!
Brians Random Thoughts 
Leave a comment