One of the most frequent rituals of arriving at a new home is asking for the Wi-Fi password. These ubiquitous networks are available in homes, hotels, airports, coffee shops, and other public spaces, providing fast, frequent and free connectivity.However, it may offer its own functionality soon — Terahertz waves, known as T-rays, contained in Wi-Fi signals innovative energy sourceDevices such as smartphones and smartwatches can therefore be charged anywhere within the range of this electromagnetic radiation. This type of energy has never been available before. Still, MIT researchers believe Wi-Fi networks could become a new way to transmit power wirelessly.
graphene again
A team led by Hiroki Isobe, a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Institute for Materials Research, recently published an article in the journal. scientific progress It proves the feasibility of this technology. Researchers are already working on physical devices, so it’s not just on paper. Their approach is based on the use of graphene and its behavior on the quantum scale. The team confirmed that by combining graphene with other materials such as boron nitride, the electron flux can be controlled and strained in one direction. Therefore, this material can handle terahertz waves as a traffic warden, channeling them through a single lane, convert them to direct current (DC).
Previous tests converted low-frequency radio waves into direct current, but were unable to collect terahertz waves that could produce stronger currents. Only the use of ultra-low temperatures has yielded successful results. Unfortunately, this type of setup prevented most practical applications. The only alternative was to use clean materials such as graphene to control direct current at room temperature.
Working on that principle, Isobe proposed a small graphene square with a layer of boron nitride and an antenna. Graphene is a symmetrical material. In other words, electrons receive incoming energy waves from all directions and scatter them in all directions. However, when boron nitride is used, the symmetry changes as boron attracts electrons in one direction and nitrogen in another. This tension causes electrons to move in one direction, generating a direct current. Researchers are comparing the technology to solar cells that capture electromagnetic waves instead of sunlight.
The ultimate energy source for the Internet of Things?
Over the next few years, a host of new Internet-enabled microdevices will hit the market. All types of sensors embedded in various objects communicate with each other and with networks without the need for an internet browser. The Internet of Things (IoT) is poised to be a game changer, but all these devices need power. Technically, T-lines could be a way to address these requirements. Devices such as wearables, pacemakers and other body implants will also benefit from this wireless charging technology.
sauce: When
