Powercast LLC’s Powercaster and Powerharvester modules can recharge batteries in consumer devices smaller than a cellphone using RF broadcasts from up to a meter away and the company expects Philips Electronics N.V. to be the releasing agent for the products later in 2007.
Using the 900MHz band, the Powercaster module transmists RF energy to a receiver module measuring about half the size of a AAA battery.

In beta testing of a wireless sensor network at the Pittsburgh zoo, the Powerharvester receiver module was retrofitted to the battery compartment of a wireless sensor. The company claims the technology extended battery life from under 120 days to several years; it has been wirelessly charging the sensor batteries to 100 percent since install.

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MachineTalker, Inc. , developer of smart wireless security networks and tracking systems, announced today that the company’s MachineTalker® devices have been selected as the wireless network to monitor fluid level sensors in multiple fuel storage tanks at one of the country’s largest petroleum refining and storage facilities. This initial installation, sold by and under the name of the company’s OEM Sense-Comm Technology, LLC, will be the prototype for extending the Talkers® into all related areas of measurement, process control and security for the Petroleum Industry.

“Using a Java-based API, MachineTalkers can be programmed to monitor events, maintain records and service all types of sensors,” according to Roland F. Bryan, company president and CEO. “In one application they monitor and report on goods in transit and the shipping containers themselves; in another, they permit external connection of industrial sensing devices. In both applications the same Talker product is used, differing only in their respective software.”

The complete story here.