We are surrounded by radio signals, that's for sure. Whether it's 3G, WiFi, satellite TV, or a typical AM station, we only need the right device to access them. Now, the idea of obtaining energy from a radio signal is not new at all, as we have seen it in applications like old crystal radios. However, Drayson Technologies wants to expand this with its Freevolt system, which promises unlimited energy for sensors and other ultra-low-power applications.
There is an old trick that allows you to get energy from a conventional telephone line. The values are not very large in terms of intensity, but several enthusiasts have managed to create and connect small emergency LED lights. Of course, one of the main advantages of such a modification is that the energy comes through the phone cable. That said, imagine extracting energy from a wireless signal. We have seen similar cases with water evaporation, and WiFi was used successfully as a means of transport, but a device with such collection capability could work indefinitely as long as it is exposed to a signal.
How Freevolt Works
That's what the new Freevolt device from Drayson Technologies aims for. According to its creators, Freevolt is the first commercial solution that provides different devices with energy from radio signals, without the need for a special transmitter. Its multi-band antenna collects energy from any source transmitting within the range from 0.5 to 5 GHz. The energy passes through a high-efficiency rectifier, and is then converted into direct current (or direct current if you prefer). A dedicated module manages, stores, and releases this electricity, according to the needs of each accessory.
How much energy are we talking about? Drayson has said that in an office environment, a Freevolt module can produce approximately 100 microwatts, a value that is far below the minimum for smartphones and routers, but more than enough to power sensors of all kinds, including smoke detectors, and the long-awaited Internet of Things. The next step for Drayson is to miniaturize the design and expand its applications, among which smart clothing stands out. Interested developers will have access to a kit very soon.
