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Tiny Generator Runs Off Vibrations
Warbothong writes "Researchers at Southampton University in the UK have developed a tiny generator that uses local vibrations to output microwatts of power. The device is smaller than one cubic centimeter. It shows promise as an alternative to batteries for applications where frequent battery replacement would not be feasible. The devices are currently being used in industry where 'there is the potential for embedding sensors in previously inaccessible locations,' but its creators imagine it could be used in devices such as pacemakers, where the beating of the heart would produce ample movement to power the magnetic mechanism."
I'm not sure if you're joking. A pacemaker does not power the heart, what it does is replace the natural pacemaker a healthy heart has, in simple terms, the heart has a bunch of cells in charge of making sure all of the other muscle cells in the heart beat in unison, various causes may make these cells stop working (or working effectively, or their signals breaking down). An artificial pacemaker replaces or enhances the function of these cells. A heart powered pacemaker would work very well indeed, absent a pacemaker heart cells fall out of synch (or pacemaker cells in other parts of the heart take over, again, throwing things out of wack), but they keep on beating, so I imagine vibrations still exist to power this kind of device.
A pacemaker doesn't beat a heart. It sends a signal (sets a pace) to cause a heart to beat of it's own accord. It is possible that the vibrations from that much moving flesh/blood could translate into an useful amount of energy back into the battery.
Bluetooth probably requires too much power. Something like ZigBee might be possible.
I am TheRaven on Soylent News
I distinctly remember being told about "psycho-kinetic" watches...
What you actually heard was the phrase "Seiko Kinetic"; their advertisements clearly showed the mechanical parts of the charging mechanism, and made no reference to "psycho" power, whatever that might be. There's more info on it on Seiko's website.
In Soviet Russia, Jesus asks: "What Would You Do?"
Not unless they pay this guy:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20050174322.html
Sometimes, life itself is sarcasm...