Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

Yes, but unfortunately TFA does not specify the size/configuration of the receiving antenna. Also, doesn't say that the charger is supposed to be part of a phone - it sounds to me more like a self-powered base-station with a spiderweb/collector back... 5 or 50 mW are just numbers in the air until we see the antenna and the distance/power of the EM source. 50 mW sounds just too much to me for something very pocketable under generic indoor conditions...

Disclaimer: my EE skills are a bit worse than rusty, mostly ghost memories from my HAM and college days, even though I pick up the good ole soldering wick from time to time :)

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

It's the next best thing to perpetual motion!

Next: a motion-driven power generator in every cell phone. Come on, it's inevitable! Like self-winding watches!

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

Oh, and tweeted at least twice now! Thanks jself for the info (although I already knew this was coming, just didn't know when)

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

This initiative will fail (again) - because there is no way how to charge end users for energy that they use (the old story with Tesla will repeat again).

I hope that I am wrong and our society is mature enough for such inventions.

Regards

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

The difference to Tesla's problem is that there is no 'provider', so payment is not expected anyway.

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

Not quite true Radio waves propagate exactly the same way as light, but you need different materials to absorb them and convert the EM "light" into electrical energy

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

If under 'same way' you mean 'can be described with the same equations and laws of physics', you are correct. However, that still means vastly different reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption, interference (etc etc) characteristics depending on wavelength. Not really just a question of materials. That's why for example solar cells are not antennas, it's just not 'practical' at that wavelength.

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

Not really ... energy of the waves will be absorbed by those devices and probably this will lead to bad communication or video signals for "wave providers" - so they will need to increase their signals (for information http://www.livescience.com/environme...e-weather.html). And this leads to bigger amount of energy used to create waves and bigger charges for real consumer for those waves and of course a lot more wave power will be spread around and this may cause even some medical problems to people.

And finally bad thing will be that instead of saving energy this will increase energy consumption and even if there is no direct "wave provider" that will charge you, this charges will be paid by someone - usually all of us.

I am so not(positive)

Regards

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

Yes, that concern was raised in my very first post to this topic :)

Re: Nokia prototype recharges batteries with radio waves
 

not by a long shot, sadly. these days one wants payment for subjects that would get one labeled a conman a couple of generations ago...