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Piezoelectric Transformers

Posted by michael on from the no-more-power-bricks dept.

behoward writes "Tired of those big honking power adapters needed for all your portable toys? Me too! So far the best solution I've seen is the AC adapter for my G4 Powerbook, a sleek combo yoyo/flying saucer; but while it looks good on the desktop, it still makes too big of a bulge in my case when I travel. Now engineers at Penn State are working on a real solution. Hope Apple gets this technology in place in time for the G5 Powerbook."

7 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. In disguise! by Scrameustache · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who is this new Piezoelectric transformer aligned with?

    Will Megatron get his alligeance and collect enough energon with his help to conquer earth and Cybertron, or will Optimus Prime woo him to the side of good and save us all? ;- )

    --

    You can't take the sky from me...

  2. Apple might use it in their new products... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    ...but eighteen months later you'll need to get a new one.

  3. Transforming cuurent events! by niko9 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sounds electrifying! We need to rectify this alternating situation. We currently need to take a more direct approach. Let's hope they can induct some more engineers, and they can harness the capacitance of their talents and rectify the situation.

    We shall now meditate, repeat after me:

    Ohm
    Ohm
    Ohm

  4. The rectification will still kill you by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The problem is not the transformers, you can make them much smaller than the standard wire wound ones with planar magnetics.

    The real problem is the rectification of the output of the transformer to get DC again. You still have to use diodes, and the very best ones still have a significant forward voltage drop. As a result the generate heat and need cooling.

    Open up any ATX PSU, and the main heatsinked components are the output rectification diodes. It is cooling these that limits power supply size. It is also the main inefficency in the PSU.

    To those that think that all three legged TO220 packages are MOSFET's think again, because they are not!!!

  5. Re:ultrasonic by Seahawk · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well - me reading slashdot havent driven my cat nuts yet - and slashdot definately creates a high pitched whine once in a while...

  6. Too Much of a Bulge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Yeah, I'm familiar with that problem.

  7. Bulge? by donutz · · Score: 2, Funny

    the best solution I've seen is the AC adapter for my G4 Powerbook, a sleek combo yoyo/flying saucer; but while it looks good on the desktop, it still makes too big of a bulge in my case when I travel

    Well stick that adapter in the front of your pants -- then you won't hear any complaining about the bulge being too big.