Power

US chip developer Ageia has launched a version of its physics hardware engine for laptops that brings the power consumption down below 10W.

Nextreme develops a miniature thermoelectric generator, suited for applications where there is plenty of heat available

Most laptops and mobile phones use Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Generally lithium-ion batteries are safe when charged and discharged according to the manufacturers instructions

Battery manufacturers have their work cut out. Consumers are clamouring for new power sources for their rapidly diversifying range of gizmos, yet the driver of the power revolution is the military and they have different needs, says Gail Purvis.

Nokia is offering to replace specific phone batteries after some "dislodge" during charging. "There have been approximately 100 incidents of over heating reported globally," said the company

Electronics Weekly puts its questions to an industry figure: Adam Rawicz, UK managing director of power supply company Lambda

The powerline comms industry is heading towards standards to specify the co-existence of technologies rather than interoperability, in a bid to get the market moving

Engineers at the University of Southampton have made an vibration-powered 50µW AC generator smaller that a sugar cube

The US Portable Rechargeable Battery Association is calling for restraint in possible legislation restricting the carriage of lithium-ion batteries on public transport

DAB decoder power consumption, the bane of portable radio designers, will drop close to FM levels in the next few years