Miniature jet engines could power cellphones

US engineers are working on chip-based “microengines” that could one day power mobile electronic devices.

They have built a silicon-compatible device capable of converting mechanical energy - produced by a rotating microturbine - into usable amounts of electrical energy.

The engines can pack in at least 10 times more energy per volume of fuel than conventional batteries and take up less space than fuel cells.

The US Army will probably be the first to benefit from the research as it would free soldiers from the batteries they have to lug around to power radios, GPS receivers, night-vision goggles, and other gadgets.

More technical details in New Scientist and Technology Review.

Regine | 7:03 PM | Technology |
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