Mojo intros Near Field Power charging technology
updated 04:20 pm EST, Thu November 13, 2008
Mojo NFP charging tech
California-based Mojo Mobility Inc. has developed a technology that is capable of wirelessly charge the batteries of specially equipped portable consumer electronics devices simply by placing them on a piece of specialized metal plate. The system works based on an electromagnetic induction method, with the flat surface lined with thin coil areas that transmit electric power. Similar thin coils to receive electric power need to be installed in the mobile devices, adding the thickness of a mouse pad.
Mojo has developed a prototype charger, pictured, that is able to charge up to four mobile phones or portable audio players at the same time. The one-off charger can deliver between 2.5W and 4W of electricity at more than 70 percent efficiency, Mojo says. Mojo has applied for more than 15 patents for technologies related to the NFP charging method and says the next step involves co-operating with portable device manufacturers to incorporate the charging coils into their products with lithium-ion batteries.
Eventually, Mojo plans to create a single-chip control unit and incorporate the non-contact charging control circuit in the power management ICs for devices. Such a move would involve working together with semiconductor manufacturers who produce power supply control ICs. [via Tech-On]
