The world's smallest vibration powered generator.

[Stuart C]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6272752.stm

Scientists at Southampton Uni have developed a generator that is small enough to fit on a pacemaker, and is powered by vibration.

They also envisage the generator could be used to power sensors in machinery, where it is currently not practical to fit sensors with rechargable batteries that would require maintenance. It could also be used to power things like electronic cats eyes.

The generator will currently only output a few milliwatts of power, so probably isn't capable of powering more than a sensor or light, but in future, devices such as this could be built into (for instance) MP3 player or Mobile Phone batteries and enable them to recharge themselves.

[Rob M]

I'll bet Ann Summers is running her hands together with glee

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

I'll bet Ann Summers is running her hands together with glee

I'm sure something is being rubbed together

[papa smurf]

hmmmm a self sustaining vibration device , .....perpetual motion?

[Maggy J]

I think the original use of it is certainly worth the effort...Whatever other potential others may see for it's future use.

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

I think the original use of it is certainly worth the effort...Whatever other potential others may see for it's future use.

I dont see what effort has been put in. Kinetic energy watches have been around for more than 10 years now.

[homealone]

Originally Posted by Wicked_and_Crazy

I dont see what effort has been put in. Kinetic energy watches have been around for more than 10 years now.

they need a fair amount of energy input to achieve the result, though, this invention works at a lower intensity of vibration.

Given the choice, if it was my pacemaker (theoretically), would I want a device that stopped working when I stopped moving, or one that could use my heartbeat to supply enough energy to make sure the next heartbeat happened, too ???