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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."

29 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. Old tech by mulvane · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Wrist watches have had this for years now. I think it was casio who first started doing it wide scale.

    1. Re:Old tech by TheMeuge · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I think for the watches, the amplitude of the "vibration" needs to be much higher in order to swing the arm. I doubt tiny little vibrations would do it, so for an application such as pacemaker, such a technology wouldn't do.

      But yes, this looks extremely promising. Couple this with a nice, but small capacitor, with a capacity for 2-3 shocks (probably 5-15mA per discharge will be sufficient), and you've got a nice little pacemaker that recharges itself.

    2. Re:Old tech by AKAImBatman · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Couple this with a nice, but small capacitor, with a capacity for 2-3 shocks (probably 5-15mA per discharge will be sufficient), and you've got a nice little pacemaker that recharges itself.

      Amusingly, self-charging pacemakers have existed for the better part of 40 years. Pacemakers used to be powered by radioisotopes which had a power-producing lifespan far in excess of the patient's remaining expected lifespan. The only catch with such pacemakers was that they had to be removed after death to recover the valuable Pu-238 materials for remanufacturing and reuse.

      According to this article by a Dr. David Prutchi PhD, the devices fell out of favor due to the availability of lithium batteries capable of lasting a decade before replacement. However, one does have to wonder if the public fear of all things nuclear didn't contribute to the downfall of such devices.
    3. Re:Old tech by steveo777 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Not sure who developed it first, but I do remember being somewhat enamored with Seiko's Kinetic watches. They had a off-center flywheel attached to a generator and gearbox that powered a small capacitor. Apparently the watch would run for 2 weeks on a full charge and all you had to do was walk around with it for a few hours. But that was a few years ago.

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    4. Re:Old tech by Vellmont · · Score: 2, Interesting


      However, one does have to wonder if the public fear of all things nuclear didn't contribute to the downfall of such devices.

      I doubt it. People were afraid of all things nuclear in the 70s and 80s as well. I also think knowledge of the nuclear battery in pacemakers wasn't very widespread (I never knew about it, and while not a medical expert I'm fairly well informed).

      My guess is it's much like the article says. A 10 year lifespan is long enough to consider replacing the unit with better technology. I bet it's also considerably cheaper to use a lithium power source than a Pu-238 one.

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    5. Re:Old tech by geekoid · · Score: 5, Funny

      Also, sometime they would leak and create 40 foot people that would rampage around the desert; which is a good thing, because someone had to stamp on those giant ants.

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    6. Re:Old tech by red_dragon · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.

      --
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  2. woo by WormholeFiend · · Score: 4, Funny

    sounds like real free energy, at last!

    suck it, Orbo!

  3. Vibrations by Mockylock · · Score: 4, Funny

    They'll soon have vibrators that are self-powered. Handheld pocket pieces around the globe. This would definitely outsell the solar powered vibrator idea, for those who just can't be away from masturbation when stuck without batteries.

    --
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  4. Erm.. by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

    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. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the heart-powered pacemaker! From the same geniuses that brought you solar-powered flashlights, pedal-powered crutches, and a voice-controlled version of Stephen Hawking's talk box.
    1. Re:Erm.. by achilles777033 · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.

    2. Re:Erm.. by Xtravar · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yeah, I can't wait until they can tap into our bodies' energy for computers and such. All of a sudden, obesity wouldn't be a problem anymore.

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    3. Re:Erm.. by Firethorn · · Score: 2, Interesting

      So you provide enough storage to perform the jump start, continually topped off by the generator.

      I fail to see how it's a catch-22 any worse than the battery in a car: It provides the power to start the engine, yet has it's energy provided by the engine itself.

      --
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  5. The solution to the global energy crisis! by cubicle_cowboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Attach a few of these to Shakira's rear end and play "Hey Ya!" on repeat.

    Now where's my Nobel prize?

    1. Re:The solution to the global energy crisis! by Dachannien · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'd pay for that even without the additional power generation.

  6. animal tracking by WindBourne · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This could be useful for tracking animals. Allow a capacitor to store the energy and when high enough, then give a burst radio signal. Likewise, the moon has a load of tiny trembles that occur. It may be possible to build small sensors and/or radios that make use of that.

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  7. Bluetooth mice? by xjerky · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Could a bluetooth mouse take advantage of this, avoiding the need to ever replace batteries again?

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    1. Re:Bluetooth mice? by TheRaven64 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Bluetooth probably requires too much power. Something like ZigBee might be possible.

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    2. Re:Bluetooth mice? by Joe+Snipe · · Score: 2, Informative
      --
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  8. What if... by otacon · · Score: 4, Funny

    You could make it bigger and adapt it to a car, the car vibrates as it goes down the road, in turn powering the device that allows it to go down the road...Perpetual motion automobile...I'd like my Nobel Prize now please...

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    In a world of acronyms, the words are the real victims.
  9. Headline double-take by HangingChad · · Score: 4, Funny

    Did anyone besides me first read that as: Tiny Generator Runs Off Vibrators ?

    Or was that just me?

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  10. Re:Heart powered pacemaker by rleibman · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

  11. Vibrators by CrazyKen · · Score: 2, Funny

    At this rate, it won't be long until we have self-sustaining vibrators that don't require batteries.

  12. lame! by abes · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is stupid. We already have better technology that can constantly produce clean infinite energy based off of the variances in the magnetic fields. I've read about it in three tech web sites!

    The only reason this article could make the pagers of /. is because the editors are bias and being paid off.

    1. Re:lame! by abes · · Score: 2, Funny

      Sorry, I forgot the sarcasm tags. Sometimes I get used to talking to normal people. The thing is, even if the humor was beyond your grasp, or even if you didn't find it funny, there's really no reason to be a dumbass about it.

  13. Free Energy by Wilson_6500 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There's plenty of free energy out there. The problem is coaxing thermodynamics to let us have it.

  14. Re:palsy by PitaBred · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's only for déjà vu

  15. Re:palsy by PitaBred · · Score: 2, Funny

    That`s only for déjà vu

  16. Re:Heart powered pacemaker by Acrylica · · Score: 2, Funny

    If nothing else, the Heimlich manoeuvre could become a common technique for stopping heart attacks.