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Flexible, Plastic Sheets of Power

Posted by Zonk on from the they-have-the-power dept.

bethr writes "Imagine never having to plug in an electronic device to get power? Researchers at the University of Tokyo have demonstrated prototype plastic sheets with copper coils that wirelessly supply power to any device that touches its surface. You just put down your laptop and the pad sends it power: 'An array of organic transistors that detect the position of the gadget and direct current flow.' Apparently, the researchers had enough time to create a spiffy video of their doll house model, complete with a mini Christmas tree, showing off the technology."

4 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. Slashpads? by soleblaze · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Isn't this kind of like Slashpads?

    1. Re:Slashpads? by Pooua · · Score: 5, Interesting

      The difference appears to be that this prototype only applies power to the section of the sheet on which the device is placed, instead of to the entire device. Supposedly, this results in a greater amount of power able to reach the device being charged. I am wondering how much of an improvement in performance this really is?

      --
      Taking stuff apart since 1969 (TM)
  2. Efficiency? by Frogular · · Score: 5, Interesting

    How efficient are these compared to regular adapter + cable? The lack of a magnetic core may mean your utilities bill goes up x2.

  3. Re:Cost? by GoulDuck · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Last time I was buying them at home depot, a socket was 79 cents and a cord was a few bucks. Why should I want to replace an already mature, tested, cheap, reliable technology with something that costs a whole lot more, and may direct power to where it is not wanted?

    Why should I have X different chargers for my wireless devices? Imagine your desk if this was build into the table... your phone don't need a wire, wireless mice charge no matter where they are located, your keyboard always works, your PDA is charged when placed on the table and so is your laptop. You could have wires for all these things, but if I could avoid having x numbers of cradles and loose wires on my table, I would like that even more. And as I type this, I could imagine other things: Wireless hard disk (with wireless USB) and wireless desktop speakers, just to keep it in the nerd world and what about your desk lamp and the LCD picture frame :-) And you thought that I was done there? When a friend comes over and discovers that his phone is low on battery and your phone charger doesn't fit? Imagine your friend to be able bring "anything" without having to bring any wires at all.

    This will also solve allot of the cable clutter under the table. Just think of all the things on your table that needs power and then imagine them without wires... Imagine this build into the walls - your speakers, tv and lights didn't need wires! Well, I don't know how it reacts to a nail, but there might be solutions for this too, like having a device that can sense where these things are placed, so you can go around them with your nails and screws.

    Surely I can't be the only one excited about the possibilities with this kind freedom you can have?