Some intelligent people at the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre have come up with an interesting way to monitor people that have had head trauma. It is a portable EEG (Electroencephalography) system that looks somewhat like a stereo headset with miniature solar cells on it. They have managed to make a hybrid power supply by using the heat dissipated from our temples and the light in a room.

Apparently this system generates 1mW (milliwatt) of power which the headset is designed to only need 0.8mW worth of power. This will allow the patient a better quality of life and still be monitored for any problems as the system wirelessly sends the information to a computer.

This type of hybrid technology could be useful in other technologies as well. Imagine a small headset cell phone that charges itself and can be worn so we aren’t fumbling for a phone while we’re driving. Any police officer can attest to the quantity of people that don’t need to be driving while holding a phone to their head. Another idea would be a self powering mp3 player. I can personally attest to the battery usage these can require.

Written By:
  Ken

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