Signal boost for mobile phones (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

The signal strengths of laptops and mobile phones are set to be radically improved if new technology developed by Oxford scientists comes to fruition.

Engineers at Isis, a technology transfer spin-out company of the University of Oxford, have found a way of creating antennas which can work in three "planes" but that are small enough to fit in hand-held devices.

Existing antennas for consumer electronics only track a signal as it moves from side to side between its origin and the receiving unit, but the Isis antennas will allow for up and down signal motion to be detected as well.
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The antennas have three different "elements" included to track all three polarisations of electromagnetic waves.
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He also explained that what has made the Isis "compact dielectric antenna systems" - as the technology is known - attractive to industry is that it uses existing materials and can be quickly brought to market.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7358719.stm

[Benhurst]

1. Great! Now people will be able to fry their brains even faster.

[grizmaster]

2. it might mean the opposite

depends on the power needs for it to function. It might take significantly less power to capture or send the same signal

[Benhurst]

3. That would be nice if it works that way.

Health-related concerns have been widely aired in Britain and Europe. I figured the BBC would have said something if they were safer; but maybe not.

[grizmaster]

4. It would also matter how they use the new tech

If they leave the power level the same just to get a stronger signal and its beaming in three dimensions instead of one it would probably be worse.

[Tesha]

5. Depends which way the cell site is located, doesn't it.

If the cell site is "on the other side of your head", well
then power will be concentrated in the general direction
of your brains.

Tesha

[moggie]

6. Unless you're a Republican n/t

[Tesha]

7. And you're wearing the mobile on your hip. (NT)