A Wireless Communication Sheet

clipped from www.computerpoweruser.com Imagine walking into a conference room, sitting your computer down on the table, and immediately being able to share information with other devices without having to connect to a wireless network. Such a scenario might soon be a reality, thanks to new technology developed at the University of Tokyo. clipped from www.computerpoweruser.com clipped from www.computerpoweruser.com Professor Takao Someya, associate researcher Tsuyoshi Someya, and their team have developed a wireless communication pad that networks multiple devices together when placed on the pad. The sheet is 1mm thick and manufactured using a process in which transistors, MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) switches, communication coils, and nonvolatile memory cells are all printed directly onto the plastic with an inkjet.

clipped from www.technologyreview.com

Communicating with Plastic

A new inkjet-printed technology enables a different kind of wireless connectivity between devices.

Bright idea: Simple electronic devices--in this image, robots illuminated by LEDs--can communicate securely through electronics embedded in a plastic sheet.

clipped from www.technologyreview.com

A schematic of a new communications technology. Each device (represented by white circles) transmits a radio signal to coils in a printed sheet. The signal is then carried between the devices through wires.

clipped from techon.nikkeibp.co.jp

Tokyo University Develops "Communication Sheet"

Dynamic Path Determination

clipped from techon.nikkeibp.co.jp

clipped from techon.nikkeibp.co.jp

(1) the sheet detects the location of equipment placed on it, dynamically determining the communication path, and (2) based on the result of (1), communication within the sheet is handled through a 1D communication path just like conventional wired communication, minimizing power consumption.

Layers Formed by Coating Technology

The sheet has two major characteristics: all the layers except the semiconductor layer are formed through the coating process; and it can operate for at least five months in the atmosphere, which is at least ten times longer than conventional organic memory.

Organic, Metal Layers Form Barriers

clipped from techon.nikkeibp.co.jp

clipped from techon.nikkeibp.co.jp

The only issue that remains to be resolved before the communication sheet can enter commercial use is that it is currently only able to handle two pieces of equipment at once.

Related:
Computer Power User Article - Under Development
Technology Review: Communicating with Plastic
Tokyo University Develops "Communication Sheet" -- Nikkei Electronics Asia -- February 2008 - Tech-On!
Blogging the Singularity » Blog Archive » Communicating with Plastic

Wireless Power and Communication Sheets

A flexible plastic substrate for low-power link and wireless power for portables

A miniature house with wireless power transmissions sheets embedded in the floor and covering the desk and wall.

ELECTRIC FLOOR MAT: A plastic sheet capable of wirelessly transmitting power to objects placed on it.

The communications sheet originates from a series of technology developments in large-area electronics made by researchers at the University of Tokyo’s School of Engineering. [...] The power sheet routed the power to the right spots through a combination of organic transistors and plastic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches.

With further improvement, the researchers say, these electronic sheets could be formed into table covers, desk covers, or wallpaper, or be embedded into the floor, and could allow hundreds, even thousands, of devices to communicate with one another with a level of security better than can be achieved by Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless technologies. The sheet could also deliver power directly to devices, the researchers say, replacing cables and power cords, along with their connectors and plugs.

IEEE Spectrum: Smart Sheet Combines Wireless Power Supply and Wireless Communications

via: Low-cost Wireless Power Supply for all of your Gadgets? - Ministry of Tech - The Best of Tech
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