Cell Phone Charging is Now Automated

According to the article, "The Self-Charging Cellphone" in issue #2750 of New Scientist magazine, Nokia of Finland has made cell phone charging an automated process so that you never have to worry about your battery being out of power. The U.S. patent for which the company applied has been approved so the phones should be available shortly. The article briefly explains how cell phone charging is possible through today's technology.

The heavier parts of a cell phone are the battery and something called the transmitter circuit. These two items are designed to sit in a special frame in the phone which is supported by a system of rails or tracks. The rails supporting the frame allow it to move both vertically and horizontally. Piezoelectric crystals are placed at the end of the tracks and generate electricity when the frame holding the battery and transmitter circuit bumps or hits against these crystals. A capacitor is charged which in turn charges the battery. The frame will bump into the piezoelectric crystals as the user moves about, thus the phone is charged as a result of your motion. While it sounds like an ingenious idea, rarely does new technology work well; it usually must be perfected over and over.

Some users of cell phones have reported that it's really best to allow the battery to completely run out of power before recharging it. Supposedly, this helps the battery pack to last longer. However, this simply isn't very feasible for most people. There's the danger of getting stranded and not being able to call for help because of a low battery. There's also the possibility of missing an important call because the battery wasn't charged. After all, cell phones were designed to allow users to reach others and to be reached at all times that the phone is turned on and working properly.

It remains to be seen if there will be any health risks associated with using this technology that allows for cell phone charging automatically. A cell phone is usually kept in a pocket when not in use and held next to the head when talking on it. In both instances, the device is held close to the torso of the body. Should people really want electricity being generated at all times in a cell phone that's going to be kept that close to their person? Perhaps people with pacemakers won't be able to use them. What many people don't remember or don't realize is that not only can the body conduct electricity, the heart has its own electrical system responsible for rhythmic heart beats. When that electrical system is interfered with, the heart can stop beating.

Undoubtedly, the electricity generated in cell phone charging that's automated will be very low--just enough to keep the battery powered. Nevertheless, should people be asking what the possible health risks of almost constant exposure to such a device are? It sounds like a good question. Although technology can be fascinating, the more it advances and is embraced by the people, the more stressful life becomes. People can barely drive because they're always talking on a cell phone. They can't pay attention to customer service representatives when they're doing banking or checking out at the grocery store because they're talking on a cell phone. If generations who've died could raise up and see the deteriorated state of U.S. society, due in part to a madness when it comes to cell phone usage, they would be in utter shock.