Meet The Phone That Makes Calls Without Battery

A research project at Washington University is underway that could eventually drastically change the way we use our cellphones to make calls since the project’s prototype doesn’t actually require a battery to make calls.

The prototype is the brainchild of Joshua Smith, a researcher at the university’s lab for computer science and electrical engineering. Smith has spent years developing the prototype and, beyond the basics of making a phone call, Smith envisions a cell phone that can also continue sending text messages and taking selfies long after the juice in the battery has drained. The concept is that technology can be developed, and has already begun being developed, that can draw energy from the surrounding environment and wireless transmission signals – which Smith calls “backscatter.”

Backscatter is inspired by ideas used by Soviet Spies during the cold war, which Smith heard from his father – who was a spy at the time. The spies used bugs that were powered by specific radio frequencies which were also used to transmit data via a mirroring process. By working out how to control and optimize the process using modern hardware and sofware solutions, Smith’s team was able to create a viable base station that could be incorparated into modern cell towers.

Although the team is focused on communicating through calls, for now, which are undeniably one of the most power hungry ways to communicate with a smartphone, they do hope to find a way to make the technology work for other things. An e-ink display, for example, could be used to keep text messages up and runnig in a low-energy way.

The first call ever using the technology developed by Smith has already been made. Unfortunately, for now, the sound quality is still very poor. Moreover, it’s still analog. That means it works similarly to a two-way radio, where listening and talking can’t be simultaneous. The current form the phone leaves quite a lot to be desired as well. You can check out its current form in the image above, but it’s really just a board with a keypad and LED lights to indicate when one of those keys is pressed. Obviously, there is still a lot of work left to do, but the research lab has high hopes for future iterations.

Most dramatic changes to technology are very rudimentary when first developed. With any luck, the team at Washington University will work out the kinks and smartphones manufacturers will find a way to incorporate it. That way, the most important communications people make every day with their devices may be able to continue without the need for battery packs or a wall socket.
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14 comments:

  1. nice post, Nigerians also are good but there's no one to support them that's why new things come from overseas. lolzzz do you know dat some china phones recharge their batteries? if you don't know then I'm sorry you're jjc

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  2. nice post, Nigerians also are good but there's no one to support them that's why new things come from overseas. lolzzz do you know dat some china phones recharge their batteries? if you don't know then I'm sorry you're jjc

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  3. This is very impressed breathtaking innovation. Thumbs up the team working on this project.

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  4. Thanks for Your wonderful update

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  5. I think I have heard a story of someone who made phone that works without battery but who banned to make more of the products,anyway I think same is going to happen again such a bad world we are in the authority won't let guys shine,
    Thanks wizy for the post

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  6. I'm gonna speak the minds of Nigerians on this Technology. If this technology is allowed to materialize, each and everyone of us in Nigeria will love this phone with a passion because the nature of our epileptic power supply.

    No charging of phones

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    1. I strongly agree with you on that one paul.i also noticed the image above has no screen anyway I will say it's just an attachment to the this supposed thread.

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  7. Haha Nigerians are gonna love this!
    Nice one @wizy

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  8. Nice Concept, With Time It Might Become Feasible And Incoporated Into Moblie Devices For Everyday Use. The Whites Are Alway Innovating, Kudos To Them.

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  9. I'm seriously praying that this innovative and breathtaking should become reality so that we can start using phones with having to charge them.

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  10. lol..nice one but I guess it will just be for experimental purpose!

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