Battery-free mobile phone coming soon

Scientists at the University of Washington have offered new hope for a future where cell phones never need to be charged.

The phone design is incredibly energy efficient, requiring just 3.5 microwatts to operate. It uses a cutting-edge approach to avoid using a battery. Instead, the prototype uses environmental power from radio signals to light—the phone’s solar panel is “roughly the size of a grain of rice”—to transmit the signal back to a base station 15 meters away.

The prototype is also made from simple materials: a capacitive touch button, a circuit board, and a host of other “off-the-shelf” components. More impressively, the scientists have created a custom base station that can transmit signals back and forth with very little power.

In testing, the researchers were able to successfully make and receive calls via Skype, as well as hold calls. But the scientists said they would like to improve the prototype further by incorporating an e-ink display that would allow for live video streaming as well as the ability to encrypt calls for added security.

Close-up of the promising battery-free phone.

Vamsi Tall, co-author of the study, said the base station technology they developed — while still just a prototype — could pave the way for a future where all phones don't need batteries to operate.

“You can dream of a future where all base stations will have built-in cell phone radios as well as Wi-Fi. And if every home has a Wi-Fi modem, you will have battery-free cell phone coverage everywhere.”

According to VnMedia