"Spin Battery" Effect Discovered

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers at the University of Miami and at the Universities of Tokyo and Tohoku, in Japan, have discovered a spin battery effect: the ability to store energy into the magnetic spin of a material and to later extract that energy as electricity, without a chemical reaction. The researchers have built an actual device to demonstrate the effect that has a diameter about that of a human hair. This is a potentially game-changing discovery that could affect battery and other technologies. Quoting: Although the actual device... cannot even light up an LED..., the energy that might be stored in this way could potentially run a car for miles. The possibilities are endless, Barnes said.'"

Comments

Cool.

[B5_geek]

This sounds cool, but what they are not telling you is that it will stop working if you bring it south of the equator. :)

Miles?

[noundi]

...the energy that might be stored in this way could potentially run a car for miles. The possibilities are endless, Barnes said.

Awesome, I have yet to travel miles by car.

Re:Miles?

[Mister Whirly]

"I can potentially power a car for miles with twisted up rubberbands"

So you bought a Yugo too, eh?

Re:Miles?

[MightyYar]

I can potentially power a car for miles with twisted up rubberbands if I want to

I think there is some stimulus money available for you.

CAUTION

[Waffle Iron]

Do not open or crush battery. Severe risk of releasing a life-sucking vortex.

Do not dispose in fire. Doing so could loose a storm of flaming vortices.

Do not use this battery on carnival rides, while figure skating, or place in spinning clothes washer. Risk of severe gyroscopic reactions, which may lead to property damage, personal injury or death.

Re:CAUTION

[dazedNconfuzed]

Do not taunt Magnetic Spin Battery.

Yeah, but..

[AndrewNeo]

Although the actual device... cannot even light up an LED...

So you're telling me this thing is less powerful than a potato?