Researchers from the University of Washington and the Technical University of Delf have worked on an interesting project that exploits the functions of a computer chip and a sensor, combining several particularities.
The most interesting feature is that you don't need any physical power source or battery to function.
This system called WISP (Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform) uses UHF RFID readers to use electromagnetic waves and convert them into energy. But unlike RFID tags, it can perform basic tasks, harness the potential of sensors, and reprogram itself wirelessly.
We can't compare it to the capabilities of a mobile phone, nor can we think about running a video game, but it has a lot of potential in different areas, from agriculture, architecture to controlling the health of patients.
Just thinking about what can be achieved with the monitoring of data transmitted by the sensors and the possibility of reprogramming or updating it, and without having limitations in the mobility of the device, we can already anticipate that its applications will be amazing.
In addition, it could be combined with different devices to achieve new functions or meet new needs. We can see all the technical details of WISP in this PDF, see its operation in this video from the University of Delfo take a look at its presentation page.
