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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."

1 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. stupid problem in the first place by treat · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The real problem is that there is no standard connector for low DC voltage. Why isn't there one? This would benefit everyone. This isn't a very difficult problem, except that it needs support of big businesses. But it seems that it would even benefit them.

    When I travel I have to bring 9 power supplies (2 laptops, mp3 player, still camera, video camera, 2 cellphones, razor, toothbrush). This is insane! Of course I don't always bring all these devices. I often leave them behind not because of the device itself but because of the weight and volume from the power supply.