Smart devices continue to be developed, but one of the greatest obstacles surrounding them is battery life. Batteries are frustrating — they run down, needing to be recharged or replaced, which limits their usefulness.

Researchers at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, however, have developed a sensor that doesn't need a battery for power.

The sensor, designed to capture temperature, is minuscule, coming in at only two square millimeters. Not only that, but it draws power from the radio waves that make up its network. While it's a great idea, it is still in development, meaning that, for now, in order to get enough enough power, the sensor needs to be within an inch of a wireless router.

Within a year, however, the researchers hope to expand the range of the device to within 10 feet. Eventually, they hope to bring it to 16 feet from the router. If they are successful in doing that, we could eventually see a new generation of sensor that doesn't need its own power source, instead relying on networks for power.

Another big bonus for this technology is that it's extremely cheap to produce. In fact, each of the temperature sensors cost only 20 cents to make.

There's no word on commercialization of the product or when we can expect to see it in other devices, however, it likely won't be until the range issues are fixed, which could take a few years.

Via: Engadget