Tiny Generator Runs Off Vibrations 182
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."
Old tech (Score:3, Insightful)
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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.
Re:Old tech (Score:5, Interesting)
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 [comcast.net] 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.
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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
Re:Old tech (Score:5, Funny)
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So Michael Jackson doesn't need to pay for the big robot to roam around outside Vegas, he just needs a leaky pacemaker?
Won't address the lasers, but maybe if he can get a pedal powered propellor hat with LEDs on it...
-l
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On the other hand, this how IronMan got started.
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Only those without direct access to kitchen tables.
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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.
Rare fuels that provide power for decades are NOT self-charging mechanisms. They're burning up fuel, big difference.
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Re:Old tech (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 [seikousa.com].
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Re:Old tech (Score:4, Interesting)
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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.
I've got one. It's got a battery and a flywheel; the battery stops it from losing time for up to a month of leaving it stationary. One of the most elegant pieces of engineering I own.
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If only it could set itself automatically according to the NIST radio broadcasts it'd be perfect, eh?
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-matthew
Seiko (Score:2)
I'm not sure if it runs on an electric (charging a capacitor) or mechanical (winding a spring) principal though, and as curious as I have been I wouldn't want to pull it apart to find out.
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woo (Score:5, Funny)
suck it, Orbo!
I'm pickin' up good vibrations (Score:2)
Vibrations a happenin' with her.
Free Energy (Score:3, Insightful)
Vibrations (Score:4, Funny)
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Interesting approach (Score:2)
Erm.. (Score:5, Funny)
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Re:Erm.. (Score:5, Informative)
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So, instead of just having to work to pump blood, the heart now has to do extra work to power a generator?
Interesting idea, and I wonder what odd side effects that might have...if any. Maybe it would be a new-fangled exercise program!
Re:Erm.. (Score:4, Funny)
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Either that, or computers will get a whole lot slower
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But the catch22 is still quite apparent, especially when considering that pacemakers often have a built in jump start function which give a really strong pulse if the heart stops beating.
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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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Heart powered pacemaker (Score:2, Redundant)
Re:Heart powered pacemaker (Score:5, Informative)
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The body is already providing all the power that is needed, its just got a signalling problem. The pacemaker merely provides a steady signal.
In many respects its very similiar to the spark system in a car.
The solution to the global energy crisis! (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?
Re:The solution to the global energy crisis! (Score:5, Funny)
Be still my beating, self-powered heart (Score:2)
animal tracking (Score:5, Interesting)
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Bluetooth mice? (Score:5, Interesting)
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I was thinking "Sure it sounds nifty, but what would you actually do with a bluetooth-implanted mouse?".
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For that you need more energy, so you're probably better off using a different technique (e.g. mechanical pendulum, as in Seiko's kinetic watches). Still, it's a great idea!
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http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20050174322.html [freepatentsonline.com]
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And even if it didn't completely power the device, I bet they could substantially extend the battery life.
What if... (Score:5, Funny)
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Well, good thing that Nobel prizes are not given by those who modded you interesting, but I get the joke.
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Similar tech on the market now (Score:1)
By the way, if anyone has used any of their stuff yet, let me know.
Reliability? (Score:1)
Headline double-take (Score:5, Funny)
Did anyone besides me first read that as: Tiny Generator Runs Off Vibrators ?
Or was that just me?
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Ladies.... (Score:2, Funny)
my mom's watch has been doing that for years (Score:2)
Vibrators (Score:2, Funny)
lame! (Score:4, Funny)
The only reason this article could make the pagers of
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HeeChee Base Discovered! (Score:2)
http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Heechee-Saga-Freder
Hmmm (Score:2)
Just out of curiosity, how much seismic vibration do you get out of the earth on a typical day? What if you had a huge version of this concept that harnessed power from earth vibration? (say, you had a HUGE weight suspended between springs, and the relative motion of the weight and the earth would generate power?)
You mean like? (Score:2)
Why one of you math geeks figure out how much energy that would produce per day.
maufacturing energy costs? (Score:2)
Sound? (Score:2)
As previously seen on /. in April... (Score:2)
Prior art (Score:2)
Prior art is actually patent 5,578,877 [uspto.gov]. It's just bigger.
great for my wiimotes (Score:2)
Picturing this (Score:2)
The heart isn't the only vibration (Score:2)
It's interesting that just the heart's beating would be strong enough to work. If this assumes the rest of the body is motionless, then even more electrical output is possible. Many people with pacemakers are still active physically -- walking around, riding in cars, having sex, etc. -- so, more vibration energy!
Beats self-winding pacemakers! (Score:2)
Hmmm, "local vibrations"? However you slice *that* sounds better than the current generation of "self-winding" pacemakers which require you to rotate end-over-end for an hour each day!
Craptastic press release. (Score:2)
I don't see much application for this-- very few circuits can run on microwatts.
iPods and iPhones batteries (Score:2)
So, Apple have been trying to change the mindset regarding user changerable batteries for the iPods and iPhones - these generators would address the issue once and for all - assuming they retain rotaional HDAs for the primary storage. Solid state wouldn't provide the vibration required to charge up the generator.
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Maybe he saw a movie [warnerbros.com] or something.
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I tiny bit of energy from millions of places.
Now, if they can get them to work wit atomic vibration, are poeer problems will be solved.
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Edison: I know, we'll make the current alternate.
Lab assistant: Tesla already did that.
Edison: Well... OK, how about this... We run these high frequency rays through people onto film plates and get pictures from it.
Assistant: Tesla did that too.
E: What? Oh, OK. Ummm... I know we'll build a big lightning generator that shoots lots of electric sparks all over the place!
A: Tesla did that a couple times.
E: Damn it! Is there anything Tesla didn't do? Wait! I know! We'll replace all the cherries in ch