Robot Builders

Several companies have started to sell power ‘pads’ that can charge your cellphone when you put it on the pad’s surface. But these silicon-based pads are expensive — and relatively ’specialized.’ Now, Japanese researchers have built a plastic sheet which could power all the devices placed close to it. So far, this 4-layer sheet, which uses printed organic transistors and plastic MEMS switches, can deliver up to 40 watts of power — enough for some laptops. The technology is apparently efficient and inexpensive to produce. But as the devices to recharge will need to incorporate a special receiver, don’t expect to see these plastic power sheets on sale before several years. But read more… read story