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Tiny ARM-Based Sensor System Makes Battery Replacement Obsolete

Posted by timothy on from the transcend-batteries dept.

An anonymous reader writes "University of Michigan researchers have crammed an ARM Cortex microcontroller, a thin-film battery, and a solar cell into a package that is only 9 cubic millimeters in volume. The system is able to run perpetually by periodically recharging the on-board battery with a solar cell (neglecting physical wear-out of the system)."

12 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. THIS is how you get "infinite" battery life by Shadow+of+Eternity · · Score: 4, Informative

    I think this is the first time I've ever actually seen a legitimate claim of a device drawing less power than it can charge from ambient sources.

    --
    A bullet may have your name on it but splash damage is addressed "To whom it may concern."
    1. Re:THIS is how you get "infinite" battery life by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Never had one of those nifty solar calculators?

    2. Re:THIS is how you get "infinite" battery life by nicknamenotavailable · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Batteries have a limiting lifespan.

      If they used a capacitor instead, this device would run virtually forever.

      Place this in a solid glass marble, and it might last forever too.

    3. Re:THIS is how you get "infinite" battery life by Firehed · · Score: 3, Interesting

      If this device is as smart as TFS suggests, it can probably use more than 10 characters. Hell, something that size (9mm^3) could be, uh, discreetly placed to take pictures and send out the real thing!

      Not that I would ever condone or support such an act.

      --
      How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
  2. neglecting physical wear-out by nurb432 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And lack of sunlight....

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    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
    1. Re:neglecting physical wear-out by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 5, Funny

      Dude, time to step out of Mom's basement!

    2. Re:neglecting physical wear-out by TubeSteak · · Score: 4, Informative

      And lack of sunlight....

      RTFA: "...periodically exposed to reasonable lighting conditions, even indoors"

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
  3. So let me see if I get this straight by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If we ignore wear-out, battery replacement is obsolete.

    Uh hum.

    1. Re:So let me see if I get this straight by arielCo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      “Our system can run nearly perpetually if periodically exposed to reasonable lighting conditions, even indoors [...] Its only limiting factor is battery wear-out, but the battery would last many years.”

      By the time the battery wears out, you have gotten a few years of data; then you toss away the tiny thing.

      --
      This post contains no rudeness or derision of any kind. All arguments are friendly. Terms and exclusions may apply.
  4. Solar Geek device is doomed to failure. by Kenja · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Day Star burns us, we dont care that it can recharge our toys. We're still not going outside.

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    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  5. Re:Bogus logic by rockNme2349 · · Score: 4, Informative

    "Neglecting physical wear" when it comes to batteries is like saying "This car runs forever (neglecting its need for fuel)"

    No, neglecting physical wear is like saying this car will constantly fuel itself, so it can run forever, until the engine or other components physically break down hundreds of thousands of miles later.

    --
    Sewage Treatment Facilities - "Our duty is clear."
  6. Oh God by TopSpin · · Score: 5, Funny

    then you toss away the tiny thing

    Right. So it goes from some interior space where light is good, but not daylight, to some landfill where it is exposed to the Sun. What was 'worn out' now has an abundance of photons and reactivates. It's not happy about ending up in Fresh Kills with the other 500,000 discarded and reanimated sensors. Eventually they unify into a vast, angry landfill monster and wade across the water to crush New York.

    Please do not contribute to garbage self-awareness.

    --
    Lurking at the bottom of the gravity well, getting old