University of Washington (UW) researchers have developed a technology that will make charging devices without using alternative power a possibility.
The new assembled and modified device is a camera with “power over Wi-Fi”, essentially relying to wireless electricity transmission. The camera already received a catchy name, PoWi-Fi (power over Wi-Fi). Researchers have taken advantage of the infrastructure that is already present in every home these days, which is the Wi-Fi, to come up with this first of its kind device.
Researchers built a temperature sensor powered that is completely powered by Wi-Fi signals. They noticed that these signals can be helpful in powering up low-power devices. A remote camera was created as well that stocks power coming from Wi-Fi in a capacitor. If the power is enough, it will take a picture. Their experiment was able to capture a photo for every 35 minutes without any alternative power source, Geek reported. The experiment also disclosed that any added noise to the routers did not hinder with its data speed on the network.
They also stated that the method they have used can be improved to produce better results, such as adding rechargeable battery to the camera that can be powered by a wall in a distance up to seven meters.
The team has tested PoWi-Fi on rechargeable batteries from 28, on temperature sensors from 20 feet, and on a camera from 17 feet.
Vamsi Talla, lead author of the study, and his colleagues believe if the PoWi-Fi will receive enhancement, it can be a good basis for connected devices in the future or simply called Internet of Things, Gadget Gestures reported.