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A GROUP OF Limerick scientists have developed technology which could solve the problem of short battery life on smartphones.
A research group at the University of Limerick has identified the new technology as part of Microelectronics Week which has just concluded having aimed to shine a light on the economic and employment potential of the microelectronics industry in Ireland.
The Digital to Analog Converter or DAC developed by the scientists would facilitate ‘best-in-class’ reception in smartphones such as the Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android software and would allow battery lifetime to be increased significantly.
The DAC is a key component of all smartphones and is required to convert digital information – used to process phone data – into real-world analogue signals for wireless data transmission which can drain battery life considerably.
Following this latest development, the commercial potential of the technology is now being assessed by two Irish-based companies.
Speaking yesterday the chairman of Microelectronics Industry Design Association (MIDAS) which organised the event, John Blake, said: “Today’s announcement is a great endorsement for the high calibre research being undertaken in Ireland in the microelectronics sector.
“This week has been focused on generating awareness of the sector in Ireland. The microelectronics sector is uniquely positioned to support Ireland’s economic recovery efforts.”
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Wow, fantastic news. Always great to see Ireland succeeding where others have not. They should get this patented as quick as possible!
Was reading your article and guss what my batt ………….ran out hurry up guys
Analog to digital conversion isn’t the only battery hog on smartphones. You’re talking about the powering of dual-core 1.2GHz CPUs in modern smartphones, alongside more than 1GB of RAM and very large OLED screens. The above spec outclasses an average laptop from only five years ago, with a battery a fraction of the size. Still, this is great news!
True, and smartphones are going to get even more powerful in the near future, but isn’t it great that Irish scientists have come up with a solution to a problem that’s stumped the best brains in the world up untill now. If we could do some more things like this and figure out a way to get the most from these discoveries, I’m damn sure we have other bright young people out there who can do that, maybe then we can capitalise on things like this. We sure as Hell can’t rely on our government.
Great news. Hopefully, down the line it could be used to progress technology and battery efficiency in electric cars so they become a feasible option. So sick of being held to ransom by oil producing nations and refining companies for petrol/diesel.
Get working on hydrogen, electric cars are only a short term stop gap
Good to see such good news coming from Limerick – we’re all stakeholders I guess
True but modern processors run much lower voltage. Modern long live batteries are few years away yet. Lower power consuming chips and screen technology will lengthen battery life.
Apparently internet usage which keeps the screen active contributes to draining the battery. A bit silly really. I get max of fourteen hours out of my Samsung Android. that is with medium internet use. maybe it is just a Samsung issue. bottom line is batteries should be made to withstand internet usage.
Everybody knows you switch off the WFii Fi and Bluetooth and 3G to save the battery.
Are these people real?
I didnt know this. but i am an average joe.
You bought a smartphone only to turn off the 3G, Wifi and Bluetooth? I’m all about energy conservation, but I can’t help but be reminded by the woman in Fawlty Towers who didn’t switch on her hearing aid for the same reason.
Apparently the reason 3G decreases battery life is because we don’t have 100% 3G coverage and the constant moving back and forth from 3G to Edge signal drains the battery.. In an area with full 3G coverage the battery life is not affected as badly.
Same goes for switching your wifi off when leaving wherever you’re using wifi. It does drain faster if it is constantly searching for a wifi signal and not gaining access.
It’s the act of sending the signal out to connect that drains the battery I guess, like how some electrical appliances use more energy to turn on than they use when on..
Of course, how bright you have your screen and how much you use it make a huge difference too!
Indeed – that’s one of the biggest factors, Shanti. Strong reception uses far fewer resources. Constantly searching for a better (or any) signal uses up quite a bit of power.
I predict that within 10 years Smartphones will be so advanced that they will fill an entire room of your house.. At that point the human race will have pretty much discovered everything there is to know about the Universe… Oh hopefully by then we will have also proved Human Caused Global Warming has actually become Human Caused Global Cooling and it will all cancel it all out, and to maintain the no change whatsoever theory we will be happy to pay a Climate Tax to ensure what hasnt happened will never happen again..
this is good news though i suspect that improved battery chemistries like lithium air will be the long term solution
While this is fantastic news for a country that punches way above its weight in tech development – hope you sell it to every conceivable market. Unfortunately phones like cars are consumables – manufactures don’t want to deliver longevity – it is against their marketing strategy to get you to upgrade to the latest phone that supplies 10% extra battery life !
So for all us joe soaps our phones will continue to slowly get better battery life. But hope they License it and sell loads.
Poor reception areas where i work cause my battery to drain very quickly.
It switches between 1 bar of 3G signal down to 3-4 GPRS (0) signal all day and over the course of 8 hours i lose 80% of my battery.
I know its responsible for eating my battery because it happens monday to friday and at the weekends (when i use my phone alot more) its much much better. Its the phone constantly looking to pick up a 3G signal thats causing the battery drain.
Great to see Ireland leading the way once again!
Well please tell because my battery is about to run o
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