Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] okay, april fools got me

[Michael <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

> Have you ever built a crystal radio set?  That's powered by radio
> signals beamed through walls.
>   
Very true. RFID is a more modern concept that's used a lot and that is 
powered by radio waves.

I think consumer electronics is coming far enough that we'll start 
seeing innovations in making those items nicer and that'll include 
making them easier to power. I think that the iPod is proof that a 
product that is done better than the competition can be the difference 
between making a winner and a loser. Worrying about charging all our 
little devices is a real pain these days so recharging by radio waves, 
magnetic induction, kinetic energy, heat recycling, etc will begin to be 
seen.

I'd definitely choose a cell phone, mp3 player, camera, or whatever if I 
never had to bother charging it but I did have to bother with the 
competition. I've already chosen certain products of that type based on 
how easy they are to recharge (mp3 player recharged by built-in USB 
rather than a dedicated power cord) and I doubt I'm the only one. Also 
doing everything by radio or induction lets you make electronics 
completely waterproof which would be great for these little gizmos we 
take out into the great outdoors with us.
> It's not practical for high power.  Picture a microwave oven with no door on it.
>   
I wonder what the limits of that power is. I've heard engineers talk 
about powering cars with it but I don't know how realistic that is. It'd 
be pretty cool though. I'm surprised cell phones can't be powered that 
way though and maybe even small consumer electronics like laptops.
> There is a old story engineers tell each other about a high-powered
> Mexican (unregulated) AM transmitter right across the border.  It
> seems they weren't getting the range they expected, and investigation
> found the peasants were connecting light bulbs to quarter wavelengths
> of wire and getting free illumination.
>
> I don't think the story is true.
>   
Probably not but like many legends maybe based on something true. A good 
one for Mythbusters!

--
Michael McGlothlin, tech monkey
Tub Monkey
http://www.tubmonkey.com/


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