Powercast’s Battery-Free RFID Sensor Condition Monitoring System Wins Best New Product at RFID Journal LIVE

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Powercast’s RFID-powered, wire-and-battery-free sensor monitoring system customized for data center equipment monitoring takes home top honors

PITTSBURGH, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Powercast Corporation, the go-to source for the entire spectrum of wireless charging solutions, announced that RFID Journal LIVE! has honored Powercast’s RFID-powered, wire-and-battery-free sensor condition monitoring system customized for data centers as its Best New Product 2025.

Powercast accepts award for Best New Product of RFID Journal LIVE! 2025 for its RFID-powered, wire-and-battery-free sensor condition monitoring system customized for data centers. L to R: Alan Neves, Director of Sales; Eric Biel, Director of Strategic Partnerships; Ross Petrocelli, Director of Strategic Marketing.
Powercast accepts award for Best New Product of RFID Journal LIVE! 2025 for its RFID-powered, wire-and-battery-free sensor condition monitoring system customized for data centers. L to R: Alan Neves, Director of Sales; Eric Biel, Director of Strategic Partnerships; Ross Petrocelli, Director of Strategic Marketing.
Powercast's wire-and-battery-free RFID sensor tags for affordable, maintenance-free condition monitoring (temperature, humidity, etc). Instead of relying on wires and batteries, the tags power themselves perpetually by harvesting the RF signal sent over the air from the RAIN RFID readers used in inventory management, logistics and retail applications. Recently customized for data center monitoring, the tags are small (2.75" x 1.75" x 0.25") to fit metal server racks.
Powercast’s wire-and-battery-free RFID sensor tags for affordable, maintenance-free condition monitoring (temperature, humidity, etc). Instead of relying on wires and batteries, the tags power themselves perpetually by harvesting the RF signal sent over the air from the RAIN RFID readers used in inventory management, logistics and retail applications. Recently customized for data center monitoring, the tags are small (2.75″ x 1.75″ x 0.25″) to fit metal server racks.

The judges, led by founder and former RFIDJournal.com editor Mark Roberti, evaluated the six Best New Product finalists onsite at the RFID Journal LIVE! conference held May 6 – 8 in Las Vegas, NV, with the winner announced on May 8. As winner, Powercast will present a one-hour webinar later in 2025, and will also do a 40-minute conference session during the 2026 edition of RFID Journal LIVE!

“Considering the outstanding technology exhibited by the finalists, we are honored the judges chose our RFID-powered, wire-and-battery-free sensor monitoring system for data centers as the Best New Product 2025,” said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast.

Roberti noted that all of the finalists had innovative products, but the judges were unanimous in selecting Powercast’s energy harvesting, passive light, temperature and humidity sensor as it will open up new applications in health care, pharma, and the food supply chain, as well as managing data center assets.

“Instead of an expensive active tag with a battery that needs to be replaced every few years, companies can now use Powercast’s low-cost passive sensor, which requires no maintenance,” Roberti said. “And unlike other passive sensors, the Powercast product can write sensor data to the tag’s memory, so companies can learn if a product was outside of temperature requirements at some point. We think this passive sensor will have many applications across several different industries.”

Powercast collaborated with Asset Vue to customize its RFID sensing technology – known for maintenance-free monitoring because it can power itself perpetually from RAIN RFID inventory readers instead of wires and batteries – to monitor the temperature and humidity of mission-critical equipment stored on metal server racks without adding to the complexity of a data center.

Customizations included halving the size of Powercast’s existing RFID sensors to fit into server racks, and redesigning the RF receiving antenna to avoid interference from the metal racks while still providing long range wireless power to the sensors. The system is currently in beta testing at Asset Vue’s data center, and Powercast plans to roll it out later this year.

RAIN RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology leverages the RFID readers used in inventory management, logistics and retail applications to connect to the internet any item bearing an RFID tag, allowing users to identify and locate all such items. Adding Powercast’s wireless RF-energy-harvesting chips and sensors (temperature, humidity, light, etc.) to these RFID tags elevates their functionality beyond identification to enable real-time smart monitoring that results in smarter supply chains capable of locating live shipments, tracking the state of perishable goods and more, all without wires and batteries.

How Powercast’s RFID Condition Monitoring Technology Works, Leveraging RFID Readers as its Power Source:

Since standard RAIN RFID readers emit an RF signal that’s similar to that of Powercast’s RF wireless power transmitters, these readers can substitute for the transmitters, becoming the source of wireless power that perpetually powers the sensor tags without wires or batteries, eliminating the need/expense for hardwiring sensors, ongoing battery maintenance, or installing custom readers or RF transmitters.

Powercast’s Powerharvester® PCC110 receiver chip embedded in the RFID sensor tags harvests RF and data sent over the air from any RFID reader within range, which can be up to 40 meters depending on the application. A single RFID reader can power many tags at once located over a large area as long as they’re within range. Readers can be fixed infrastructure installed in the ceiling, or handheld readers used by employees.

The Powerharvester chip then converts the RF to usable DC to both power the tags and communicate data. A microcontroller and sensors receive power, measure conditions, and report that data back to the reader.

Peel-back adhesive on the backs of the RFID sensor tags make them easy to install anywhere.

About Powercast
Powercast Corporation, founded in 2003 and based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the go-to resource for wireless charging solutions, ranging from short to long distances and from microwatts to kilowatts, with the industry’s broadest technology portfolio backed by over 300 patents worldwide. We design, develop, and manufacture semiconductor chips as well as complete wirelessly powered products, enabling various levels of customer integration.
Powercast’s solutions include RF power-over-distance charging, high-performance inductive charging systems, and low-power sensors with up to 25-year battery life. With flexible magnetic resonance systems, Powercast positions itself as the industry’s most comprehensive source for wireless power technology. For more information, visit https://www.powercastco.com.

SOURCE Powercast

Powercast’s Sustainable, Battery-Free RFID Sensor Condition Monitoring System Now Customized for Data Centers

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Named a finalist in the RFID Journal 2025 Awards, Powercast’s RFID-powered, wire-and-battery-free sensor monitoring system customized for data center asset/equipment monitoring is in beta testing at Asset Vue

PITTSBURGH, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Powercast Corporation, the go-to source for both off-the-shelf and customized wireless charging solutions, has collaborated with Asset Vue to customize Powercast’s RFID-powered, wire-and-battery-free sensor condition monitoring system to meet the needs of data centers.

Powercast's wire-and-battery-free RFID sensor tags for affordable and maintenance-free condition monitoring (temperature, humidity, etc). Recently customized for data center asset monitoring, the tags are very small (2.75" x 1.75" x 0.25") to facilitate air flow to keep equipment stored on metal server racks cool.
Powercast’s wire-and-battery-free RFID sensor tags for affordable and maintenance-free condition monitoring (temperature, humidity, etc). Recently customized for data center asset monitoring, the tags are very small (2.75″ x 1.75″ x 0.25″) to facilitate air flow to keep equipment stored on metal server racks cool.
Powercast's wire-and-battery-free RFID sensor tags enable maintenance-free condition monitoring (temperature, humidity, etc) that can track the state of perishable goods and more. Instead of relying on wires and batteries, the tags can power themselves perpetually using the RF signal sent over the air from industry-standard RAIN RFID readers used in inventory management, logistics and retail applications.
Powercast’s wire-and-battery-free RFID sensor tags enable maintenance-free condition monitoring (temperature, humidity, etc) that can track the state of perishable goods and more. Instead of relying on wires and batteries, the tags can power themselves perpetually using the RF signal sent over the air from industry-standard RAIN RFID readers used in inventory management, logistics and retail applications.

Powercast’s RFID sensing technology – known for enabling maintenance-free monitoring because it can power itself perpetually from industry-standard RAIN RFID inventory readers instead of wires and batteries – has been named a finalist in the RFID Journal 2025 Best New Product Awards. Powercast’s technology will be displayed in booth #615 at the RFID Journal LIVE! show this week in Las Vegas, NV, May 6 – 8, where award winners will be announced May 8.

RAIN RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology leverages the RFID readers used in inventory management, logistics and retail applications to connect to the internet any item bearing an RFID tag, allowing users to identify and locate all such items. Adding Powercast’s wireless RF-energy-harvesting chips and sensors (temperature, humidity, light, etc.) to these RFID tags elevates their functionality beyond identification to enable real-time smart monitoring that results in smarter supply chains capable of locating live shipments, tracking the state of perishable goods and more, all without wires and batteries.

“Asset Vue wanted an affordable, maintenance-free asset monitoring system for its data center that didn’t require sensors to be hardwired or ongoing battery maintenance,” said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast. “They knew our technology did that, so they asked us to customize a system for them; specifically, they needed precise monitoring of extreme temperature and humidity to prevent failure of mission-critical equipment they store on metal server racks, and the ability to quickly locate tagged items on those crowded racks.”

Powercast provides engineering and productization services when customization is needed. “We already have a ‘Find Tag’ feature with LEDs to easily locate equipment, but we modified our technology to meet Asset Vue’s other needs,” continued Greene. “First, to keep equipment cool, we halved the size of our RFID tags to facilitate more airflow on the server racks. Second, because metal can diminish an RF signal and server racks are made of metal, we redesigned our RF receiving antenna to minimize interference from metal.” The system is currently in beta testing at Asset Vue, and Powercast plans to roll it out later this year.

How Powercast’s RFID Condition Monitoring Technology Works, Leveraging RFID Readers as its Power Source:

Since standard RAIN RFID readers emit an RF signal that’s similar to that of Powercast’s RF wireless power transmitters, these readers can substitute for the transmitters, becoming the source of wireless power that perpetually powers the sensor tags without wires or batteries, eliminating the need/expense for hardwiring sensors, ongoing battery maintenance, or installing custom readers or RF transmitters.

Powercast’s Powerharvester® PCC110 receiver chip embedded in the RFID sensor tags harvests RF and data sent over the air from any RFID reader within range, which can be up to 40 meters depending on the application. A single RFID reader can power many tags at once located over a large area as long as they’re within range. Readers can be fixed infrastructure installed in the ceiling, or handheld readers used by employees.

The Powerharvester chip then converts the RF to usable DC to both power the tags and communicate data. A microcontroller and sensors receive power, measure conditions, and report that data back to the reader.

Peel-back adhesive on the backs of the RFID sensor tags make them easy to install anywhere.

About Powercast
Powercast Corporation, founded in 2003 and based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the go-to resource for wireless charging solutions, ranging from short to long distances and from microwatts to kilowatts, with the industry’s broadest technology portfolio backed by over 300 patents worldwide. We design, develop, and manufacture semiconductor chips as well as complete wirelessly powered products, enabling various levels of customer integration.
Powercast’s solutions include RF power-over-distance charging, high-performance inductive charging systems, and low-power sensors with up to 25-year battery life. With flexible magnetic resonance systems, Powercast positions itself as the industry’s most comprehensive source for wireless power technology. For more information, visit https://www.powercastco.com.

SOURCE Powercast

Powercast Named as 2025 Best Place to Work by Business Intelligence

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Powercast is named a Best Place to Work for the second year in a row by Business Intelligence Group, highlighting the company's unwavering commitment to cultivating a work environment that prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, growth, and satisfaction.
Powercast is named a Best Place to Work for the second year in a row by Business Intelligence Group, highlighting the company’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a work environment that prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, growth, and satisfaction.

PITTSBURGH, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Powercast Corporation, the go-to one-stop-shop for wireless charging solutions, has been named a 2025 Best Place to Work for the second year in a row by Business Intelligence Group. This prestigious annual award highlights Powercast’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a work environment that prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, growth, and satisfaction.

Powercast was chosen based on employee questionnaires that recognized the company’s intertwining environment, culture, and support of its employees in everything they do, from how they interact with clients, to the sustainable wireless power solutions that they develop for clients around the world.

“We are honored to receive the Best Place to Work award,” said Charles Greene, Chief Operating & Technical Officer.  “At Powercast, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and this recognition is a reflection of their hard work, dedication, and commitment to Powercast’s shared values. We strive to create a positive workplace culture and believe it is the foundation for success, and we are proud to provide our employees an environment where they are encouraged to grow, innovate, and thrive.”

Greene continued, “One of the most important values at Powercast is the ability to offer our employees work-life balance and flexibility.  We recognize the importance of supporting employees in both their professional and personal lives, and prioritize employee satisfaction and well-being.  As Powercast celebrates this achievement, we remain committed to upholding our core values and providing a culture that recognizes and rewards outstanding contributions while we continue to build a team with an outstanding track record of success.”

About Powercast 
Powercast Corporation, founded in 2003 and based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the go-to resource for wireless charging solutions, ranging from short to long distances and from microwatts to kilowatts, with the industry’s broadest technology portfolio backed by over 300 patents worldwide. We design, develop, and manufacture semiconductor chips as well as complete wirelessly powered products, enabling various levels of customer integration.
Powercast’s solutions include RF power-over-distance charging, high-performance inductive charging systems, and low-power sensors with up to 25-year battery life. With flexible magnetic resonance systems, Powercast positions itself as the industry’s most comprehensive source for wireless power technology. For more information, visit https://www.powercastco.com.

About Business Intelligence Group 
The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry and business award programs, business executives—those with experience and knowledge—judge the programs. The organization’s proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers.

Beyond Identification: Powercast Elevates RAIN RFID for Smarter Supply Chains

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Powercast is revolutionizing supply chain tracking with RAIN RFID technology, embedding smart sensors for real-time monitoring of perishable goods and integrating LED-enabled tags for rapid product location. Beyond compliance with new FDA regulations, Powercast’s innovations enhance efficiency, security, safety, and sustainability—reshaping retail, logistics, and everyday smart applications through wireless power solutions.

PITTSBURGH, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Last year, the U.S. saw a staggering 25% increase in foodborne illnesses and a more than twofold rise in hospitalizations. (1) This alarming trend has fueled the FDA’s upcoming Food Traceability Final Rule, which mandates end-to-end traceability for high-risk foods—similar to the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP), which enhances transparency across product lifecycles. (2-3) “The industry is at a turning point: traditional tracking methods—such as manual barcode scanning and static QR codes—fall short of delivering the real-time, scalable solutions needed for both compliance and operational efficiency,” explains Charles Greene, COO & CTO of Powercast Corporation, a leader in wireless power solutions. “That’s why we are powering the next generation of RAIN RFID devices—to drive smarter supply chains capable of locating live shipments, tracking the state of perishable goods, enabling anti-counterfeiting security measures and more.”

Supply Chain: Smarter Tracking with Embedded Sensors
RAIN RFID technology is becoming a cornerstone of modern supply chain automation. Unlike traditional optical tracking methods—such as barcode or QR code scanning, which provide static data and require line-of-sight—RAIN systems offer real-time, automated visibility. This is especially crucial in dynamic environments where continuous monitoring is essential.

Powercast is enhancing RAIN capabilities by:

  • Embedding data-rich sensors to provide instant insights into product conditions. This not only tracks the location of stock but also monitors critical environmental factors affecting perishable goods, including temperature, humidity, and movement.
  • The Find-Tag feature integrates LED indicators into RAIN tags, enabling workers to quickly locate shipments—such as contaminated goods requiring immediate removal. This is particularly critical as 2024 has witnessed a surge in E. coli outbreaks, with major brands such as McDonald’s and Grimmway Farms facing food poisoning lawsuits. These incidents underscore weaknesses in food safety regulations and traceability systems. (3-5)”We are thinking beyond identification,” states Greene. “Our goal is to provide deeper supply chain visibility, ensuring product safety and operational efficiency.”

In addition to food safety, RAIN technology enhances inventory accuracy, reduces losses, and increases transparency throughout the supply chain. With automated, real-time tracking, RAIN enables businesses to avoid stockouts, limit overstock, and optimize warehouse operations. Furthermore, it improves operational efficiency by streamlining processes and accelerates recall procedures by quickly identifying affected products.

“RAIN is a proven technology in large-scale logistics management, and the transport of food is no different,” comments Aileen Ryan, President and CEO of RAIN Alliance. “By utilizing RAIN tags, organizations such as Powercast are helping to streamline and optimize the food industry supply chain. This isn’t just unlocking new operational efficiencies; it is driving a new era of food safety standards where any risk of contamination at any point in the supply chain can be recognized and rectified before a product reaches the shelves. And with more and more consumers factoring in responsible sourcing in their purchasing decisions, transparent, traceable data from farm to table can be a key differentiator that helps make a more sustainable food industry.”

DPP and Sustainable RAIN Innovation
As industries move toward greater transparency, the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) is setting a new standard for tracking a product’s lifecycle—from raw materials to disposal. Powercast is at the forefront of this shift, leveraging its RF wireless power technology to enhance RAIN’s role in sustainability.

By embedding its Powerharvester® technology into RAIN tags, Powercast enables maintenance-free, batteryless tracking systems that align with both DPP initiatives and corporate sustainability goals while elevating RAIN beyond just identification. These systems help businesses reduce waste, improve inventory accuracy, collect environmental data critical to sustainable operations, and are able to power or recharge the DPP device.

As a member of the RAIN Alliance Sustainability Working Group, Powercast is driving innovation that bridges RAIN technology with real-world sustainability efforts, ensuring smarter, more responsible supply chains.

Beyond Supply Chain: Powercast’s Wireless Solutions in Everyday Life
While RAIN is already transforming retail and logistics, its potential extends beyond the supply chain. As mandates drive RAIN adoption in apparel and consumer goods, Powercast’s wireless power solutions unlock new, smarter applications. “With our technology, those same RAIN systems could enable auto-reordering, smart inventory monitoring, and even recharge the numerous electronic devices around us every day,” points out Greene.

Imagine a home where RAIN-enabled products seamlessly manage everyday tasks. A refrigerator could track food levels and automatically reorder groceries, while a medicine bottle could remind users when it’s time for a refill. By integrating RAIN with wireless power, companies can create an ecosystem where objects don’t just store data—they actively improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance user convenience.

Powercast is leading this evolution, bridging the gap between regulatory mandates and real-world innovation. “We’re not just enabling compliance,” says Greene. “We’re creating smarter, more intuitive interactions between people and technology—making everyday life more seamless, helping businesses, consumers, and the planet.”

About Powercast Corporation
Powercast Corporation, founded in 2003 and based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the go-to resource for wireless charging solutions, ranging from short to long distances and from microwatts to kilowatts, with the industry’s broadest technology portfolio backed by over 300 patents worldwide. We design, develop, and manufacture semiconductor chips as well as complete wirelessly powered products, enabling various levels of customer integration.
Powercast’s solutions include RF power-over-distance charging, high-performance inductive charging systems, and low-power sensors with up to 25-year battery life. With flexible magnetic resonance systems, Powercast positions itself as the industry’s most comprehensive source for wireless power technology. For more information, visit https://www.powercastco.com.

About the RAIN Alliance
The RAIN Alliance enables organizations to improve traceability, effectiveness, and sustainability by simplifying, standardizing and accelerating the adoption of RAIN technology through global collaboration and innovation. Its global membership consists of companies and organizations which develop and deploy RAIN technology solutions across many vertical markets.
RAIN is a standards-based wireless technology that enables businesses and consumers to identify, locate and authenticate billions of items connected to the Internet of Things. RAIN technology uses the ISO/IEC 18000-63 protocol (also known as GS1 UHF Gen2). For more information, visit https://therainalliance.org/

References
1. Dall, Chris. “Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.” CIDRAP, 17 Feb. 2025, cidrap.umn.edu/foodborne-disease/report-illnesses-contaminated-food-increased-2024-severe-cases-doubled.
2. Nutrition, Center for Food Safety and Applied. “FSMA Final Rule: Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods.” FDA, 13 Nov. 2024, fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain-foods.
3. Dake, Zach. “Digital Product Passports Enabled by RAIN.” The RAIN Alliance, 4 Nov. 2024, therainalliance.org/digital-product-passports-enabled-by-rain-rfid/.
4. U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Investigation Update: E. Coli Outbreak, McDonald’s Quarter Pounders – October 22, 2024.” CDC, U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Oct. 2024, cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/investigation-update-e-coli-o157-2024.html.
5. Coveny, McKenna Madison. “Why Does It Seem like 2024 Is the Year of E. Coli Outbreaks?” Food Poisoning News, 22 Nov. 2024, foodpoisoningnews.com/why-does-it-seem-like-2024-is-the-year-of-e-coli-outbreaks/.

Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
727-777-4629
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Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com

SOURCE JOTO PR™

Powercast & B&Plus Supercharge Japan’s Net-Zero Sustainability Goals with Wireless Power

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Powercast is set to disrupt the Japanese market through a strategic partnership with B&Plus, bringing its advanced RF wireless power solutions to one of the most competitive and technologically sophisticated markets worldwide. By eliminating battery dependency, this collaboration helps businesses reduce costs, minimize waste, and align with the country’s long-term sustainability goals.

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As Japan accelerates its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, the world’s fifth-largest energy consumer faces mounting pressure to optimize efficiency and reduce reliance on traditional power sources, driving an unprecedented demand for innovative energy solutions. (1-2) Powercast and B&Plus are addressing this challenge with a strategic partnership, bringing their cutting-edge solutions to one of the most advanced and competitive markets. “Powercast has already demonstrated the impact of RF wireless power through global deployments, including North America, other countries in Asia and more. Our partnership with B&Plus marks the next step in expanding adoption in Japan, bringing our technology to even more industries seeking sustainable, battery-free solutions,” states Charles Greene, COO & CTO of Powercast Corporation.

Powercast is entering a high-stakes environment with the ambition of amplifying its role as a global player. By integrating its RF wireless power into B&Plus’s product designs, the collaboration offers a battery-free alternative that enhances efficiency and reduces reliance on traditional batteries—reshaping industrial and IoT applications with a more sustainable approach to energy consumption.

“Our partnership with B&Plus marks the next step in expanding adoption in Japan, bringing our technology to even more industries seeking sustainable, battery-free solutions” — Charles Greene, COO & CTO of Powercast Corporation

Redefining Smart Buildings with Wireless, Battery-Free Power Solutions
In a densely populated megacity like Tokyo, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. With over 37 million people living and working in a space where every square meter matters, efficient energy use is critical. (3)

Traditional batteries, often discarded after a short lifespan, contribute to electronic waste and require costly maintenance. The global lithium-ion battery industry is projected to generate up to 1.0 gigaton of CO₂ emissions annually within the next decade, highlighting the urgent need for smarter, more sustainable power solutions. (4)

By eliminating the need for disposable batteries, Powercast’s wireless power solutions offer a smarter, greener approach to energy consumption. Buildings across Tokyo can benefit from battery-free, wirelessly powered sensors that optimize energy use in real-time. “If nobody’s in a room, you can automatically turn the lights off, adjust the HVAC, and save kilowatts of energy—all with small, battery-free sensors,” points out Greene. “The problem has never been the sensors; it’s been the hassle of running around changing batteries. Wireless power solves that.”

As Japan advances toward its net-zero target, cutting-edge technologies like RF wireless power will play a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future.

Wireless Power Applications: Transforming IoT and Consumer Electronics
From Japan’s advanced industrial IoT ecosystems to its globally renowned consumer electronics sector, wireless power is reshaping energy distribution and consumption—aligning with the nation’s push for efficiency, sustainability, and technological leadership.

IoT: Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) is revolutionizing industrial automation by enabling seamless energy delivery to sensors and IoT devices in hard-to-reach locations. Unlike traditional wired or battery-powered solutions, it reduces maintenance costs, enhances system reliability, and improves operational efficiency. Additionally, WPT offers a more scalable and environmentally friendly alternative, minimizing electronic waste and supporting the next generation of smart, energy-efficient industrial systems. (5)
One of Powercast’s most notable integrations is in Samsung’s globally distributed TV remote controls, showcasing its ability to power mass-market consumer electronics with reliability and efficiency. Beyond remotes, Powercast’s technology powers keyboards, mice, smart home sensors, and even illuminated packaging—providing a sustainable alternative to traditional battery-powered devices. These capabilities open doors for further innovation, allowing manufacturers to reduce waste, lower costs, and extend product lifespans.

“Achieving net-zero emissions requires more than renewables—it demands smarter energy use. With B&Plus’s market expertise and Powercast’s wireless power technology, we’re eliminating unnecessary waste at the source and driving real change in industrial efficiency,” explains Greene.

Powering the Future: How Powercast and B&Plus Are Redefining Energy Efficiency
Powercast has cemented its position as a leader in wireless power solutions, driving innovation in sustainability, efficiency, and design across multiple industries. With 300+ patents and 25 million chips shipped, the company is among the few dedicated to RF wireless power, delivering solutions for a diverse range of applications—from industrial sensors and automotive systems to wearables and consumer electronics.

“With Japan’s strong commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, our partnership with B&Plus comes at the perfect time. We’re here to help businesses embrace wireless power and move toward a smarter, battery-free future,” highlights Greene.

While Powercast provides engineering and product development expertise, B&Plus leverages its deep market knowledge to drive adoption. To showcase the impact of wireless power firsthand, Powercast solutions are now available for demonstration at B&Plus’s showroom in Saitama, Japan (3-1-2 4F, Omiya-ku Miya-cho, Saitamashi,Saitama-ken, Japan 330-0802), where businesses can experience how this technology can transform their operations.

“We have historically developed products using short-range wireless power but have not had long-range RF wireless power until now thanks to our partnership with Powercast,” mentions Atsushi Kameda, CEO of B&Plus. “We chose Powercast’s RF technology because of their 20+ year track record, their RF transmitters and receivers are easy to integrate into systems, and their engineering and manufacturing expertise will help us solve wireless challenges for customers in Japan.”

About Powercast Corporation
Powercast Corporation, founded in 2003 and based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the go-to resource for wireless charging solutions, ranging from short to long distances and from microwatts to kilowatts, with the industry’s broadest technology portfolio backed by over 300 patents worldwide. We design, develop, and manufacture semiconductor chips as well as complete wirelessly powered products, enabling various levels of customer integration.
Powercast’s solutions include RF power-over-distance charging, high-performance inductive charging systems, and low-power sensors with up to 25-year battery life. With flexible magnetic resonance systems, Powercast positions itself as the industry’s most comprehensive source for wireless power technology. For more information, visit https://www.powercastco.com.

About B&Plus Corporation
B&PLUS JAPAN was launched as the Japanese member of the Balluff family of companies, headquartered in Germany as a manufacturer of sensors for major industries. With more than four decades of experience, the company has focused on wireless technology research and advancing mass production.
While many companies are new entrants to the development of wireless power supply technology, B&PLUS JAPAN has more than 40 years of experience in developing and manufacturing wireless power supply devices. Rising above the competition, the company provides wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies with a wide power range solutions and options for signal transmission. With many accomplishments in the WPT field, the company is proud to have the largest product lineup in the world, providing products to manufacturers of automobiles, machine tools, drones, robotics and many others.
https://www.b-plus-kk.jp/

References
1. L, Jennifer. “Japan Steps up as Carbon Credit Leader with $70 Billion Push for Net Zero.” Carbon Credits, 20 Jan. 2025, carboncredits.com/japan-steps-up-as-carbon-credit-leader-with-70-billion-push-for-net-zero/.
2. Statista. “Primary Energy Consumption Worldwide in 2023, by Country.” Statista, June 2022, statista.com/statistics/263455/primary-energy-consumption-of-selected-countries/.
3. The Times of India. “Most Populated Cities in the World 2024 Including Tokyo Delhi Mumbai and More – Times of India.” The Times of India, 2024, timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/most-populated-cities-in-the-world-2024/featureshow/115054260.cms.
4. Kallitsis, Evangelos, et al. “Think Global Act Local: The Dependency of Global Lithium-Ion Battery Emissions on Production Location and Material Sources.” Journal of Cleaner Production, 1 Mar. 2024, pp. 141725–141725, doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141725.
5. Makhetha, Molefi J, et al. “Integration of Wireless Power Transfer and Low Power Wide Area Networks in IoT Applications—a Review.” Sensors International, vol. 5, no. 100284, 1 June 2024, pp. 100284–100284, doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2024.100284.

Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
+1 727-777-4629
jotopr.com

Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com

Products

Powercast Wins TWICE 2025 Picks Award for Industry-Leading Matter-Compliant Smart Home Sensors

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Battery-free wireless sensors powered perpetually over the air eliminate battery maintenance and reduce environmental impact

Powercast Corporation, the industry’s only one-stop shop for wireless power, announces that its Matter-Compliant, Wirelessly-Powered Smart Home Automation Sensor Technology has been named a winner in this year’s CES Picks Awards within the TWICE category.

Judged by a panel of industry experts, the Picks Awards recognizes the best new products on display at CES. According to the editorial team, “The Picks Awards recognize outstanding products across consumer technology, the custom installation industry and innovative new technology that can truly help businesses of all sizes across various industries.”

Matter-Compliant, Wireless Smart Home Automation Sensor Technology Powered Perpetually Over the Air:

Powercast’s award-winning technology lets manufacturers create and perpetually power sustainable, untethered, battery-free wireless smart home automation sensors (window, door, temperature, light, humidity, water, and motion sensors), that will: 1) integrate into smart-home ecosystems (Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings) using Matter (connectivity standard) and Thread (wireless protocol), 2) install anywhere, 3) eliminate the need for expensive home wiring, and 4) eliminate batteries and their inconvenient, expensive maintenance.

Powercast created two sensors – water detection and window position – to demonstrate its technology at CES. The sensors are powered over the air by an RF transmitter. One transmitter can power all sensors installed up to 25 feet away, so placing a few transmitters throughout the home can power all sensors installed in the home.

“We are honored that our solution for creating sustainable wireless smart home sensors is resonating across the industry, already winning three awards so far,” said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast. “The TWICE CES 2025 Picks Award is the third award for our technology, following being named a CES 2025 Innovation Awards Honoree in the Sustainability & Energy/Power category, and a finalist in the 2024 Best of Sensors Converge Awards.”

Greene continued, “Over the last 20 years, Powercast’s wireless power technology has saved hundreds of millions of batteries from landfills, so we are honored that TWICE has recognized our efforts to reduce waste and support a greener future. Our solution for sustainable wireless sensors eliminates charging, replacing or disposing of batteries because battery-free sensors are wirelessly charged, perpetually powered, and provide 24/7 intelligence with zero downtime.”

Powercast Unveils Wirelessly-Powered Products at CES: Smart Lacrosse Ball, Award-Winning Home Sensors, Magnetic Resonance Applications and More

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Poised for explosive growth, the wireless power market is projected to reach US $52.4 billion by 2030. Leading this trend, Powercast Corporation—the industry’s only one-stop shop—will showcase its latest wirelessly-powered innovations at CES 2025 (Venetian Expo, booth #51716, January 7-10, Las Vegas). “We’re experiencing growing demand as both industrial and consumer markets prioritize sustainable and efficient power solutions,” explains Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast, “which fuels our commitment to continuous innovation in wireless power technology.”

Experience the Future of Wireless Power with Powercast at CES 2025

Some of the wirelessly-powered products that Powercast will showcase include:

  • Magnetic Resonance Over-the-Air Charging: Powercast is joining forces with Etherdyne Technologies (ETI) to advance wireless power transfer technology in 2025. In the sneak peek  CES, the companies will demonstrate the Wire-Free Power™ Minimalist Deskwhich is capable of providing up to 100 Watts of power to multiple devices simultaneously, all without wires. The desk demonstration features a computer monitor, laptop charging stand, desk lamp, and Qi-compatible phone charger, all powered wirelessly over the air using magnetic resonance technology. “We are excited to team with Powercast, combining our Wire-Free Power™ technology with Powercast’s vision of delivering ubiquitous wire-free products,” said Jeff Yen, Co-Founder and CEO of ETI. “ETI’s system creates a 3D magnetic energy field that covers spaces as small as a shoebox (0.1 cubic meters) or as large as an entire room (200 cubic meters), providing flexibility for manufacturers developing wire-free, battery-free devices.”
  • R1 Smart Lacrosse Ball with Over-the-Air RF (Radio Frequency) Charging: The Smart Lacrosse Ball, the first product built on the SmartCore platform crafted by Get Reps, combines technology with the durability and performance of a traditional lacrosse ball. High-precision accelerometers and gyroscopes embedded in the SmartCore track shot speed, reps, release metrics, and ball movement, and the analytics data automatically updates via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to a phone app to provide actionable insights to players and coaches to enhance performance. “Powercast’s advanced RF wireless charging technology is a perfect power solution for the smart ball because it can charge the battery through a ball, keeping the design and balance, because it needs no external charging ports or coils,” said Joe Pompo, Co-Founder/CEO at Get Reps. “We are excited to implement this technology into other sports balls in 2025.”
  • Wireless Smart Home Automation Sensor Technology with Over-the-Air RF Charging: A CES Innovation Awards Honoree in the Sustainability/Energy Category, this technology lets manufacturers create and perpetually power sustainable, untethered, battery-free wireless smart home automation sensors (window, door, temperature, light, humidity, water, and motion sensors), that will: 1) integrate into smart-home ecosystems (Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings) using Matter (connectivity standard) and Thread (wireless protocol), 2) install anywhere, 3) eliminate the need for expensive home wiring, and 4) eliminate batteries and their inconvenient, expensive maintenance. Powercast is demonstrating two sensors – water detection and window – at CES.


Powering a Battery-Free Future

Powercast empowers its partners to create sustainable, wirelessly-powered electronic devices—with or without rechargeable batteries—eliminating the inconvenience and expense of battery maintenance while significantly reducing the environmental impact of disposable batteries. This approach keeps batteries out of landfills and promotes a more sustainable future.

Other wirelessly-powered product demos displayed at CES will include:

  • Battery-free tire monitoring sensors powered over the air using RF, which can even penetrate rubber, that can be sealed into tires and other products that are either hard to access or in motion.
  • Provided via Powercast’s partnership with Powermat, powerful, contact-based SmartInductiveTM charging designed for power-hungry products such as drones, robots, power tools, micro-mobility and medical devices.
  • RFID readers are already installed in the retail, warehousing and logistics industries – and now also used by the Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative passed by the EU – and can serve as the RF power source for Powercast to power products instead of having to install RF transmitters.

“Our vision is a world where power is ubiquitous, sustainable, wire-free, and seamlessly accessible,” states Greene. “Our ultimate goal is true wireless freedom through an ecosystem of connected transmitters and receivers, both in the public and private domains, which provide people, products and machines the ability to move around freely with seamless access to power.”

Powercast’s Wireless Power Named Finalist in Defense Innovation Challenge

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Powercast has announced that its broad range of wireless power technologies – including long-range Radio-Frequency (RF) charging and close-range high-power SmartInductive charging – were named Finalists in the Defense Innovation Challenge, Microelectronics & Sensors Category. The Defense Innovation Challenge connects cutting-edge technologies with the Department of Defense (DOD), focusing on dual-use innovations that serve both civilian and government needs. All finalists are invited to present their technologies to the nation’s top military, industry and investment leaders at Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit and Expo, being held in Austin, TX, December 3 – 5.

Powercast’s RF and SmartInductive wireless charging technologies enable sustainable, environmentally-friendly devices that are either battery free or use rechargeable batteries, both of which keep single-use disposable batteries out of landfills and eliminate the expense and hassles of battery maintenance.

Additionally, Powercast’s technology can enable perpetually powered, remote sensor devices.  An example is Powercast’s Wireless Building Automation Sensor and Controller System which enables  advanced HVAC environmental monitoring and wirelessly-controllable lighting for commercial buildings. Featuring Powercast’s Lifetime Power® sensors that last 25 years, this solution costs 40% less to install than wired systems, and significantly cuts energy costs, battery maintenance, and e-waste.

“We are excited to be chosen to present our technologies which eliminate wires, battery e-waste and the hassle and expense of battery maintenance,” said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast. “Our solutions are powering a cleaner, more sustainable world and solve problems across many industries, including government and defense applications.”

Greene continued, “Our long-range, one-to-many RF charging technology is transforming wireless sensor networks (WSNs), converting previously-limited sensors and tags into lifetime devices that work in locations where battery replacement is impossible. RF power sources – including RF transmitters or the standard RFID readers already widely used in many industries – can provide efficient and reliable wireless power over the air, powering many devices up to 120 feet away, ensuring a continuous stream of real-time data to all connected devices.”

For more powerful charging, Powercast’s SmartInductive transfers up to a kilowatt of power to charge one product at a time at close range. “A hybrid inductive/resonance technology, SmartInductive is more forgiving than traditional inductive because the transmitter and receiver can tolerate misalignment and offset,” explained Greene. “More flexibility in alignment easily enables completely autonomous charging of robots, drones, micro-mobility, medical and other high-power devices, reducing downtime and operational costs.”

Denise Lee, Defense Innovation Challenge, said, “Our mission is to accelerate innovation for the nation.  Powercast is a Finalist in our 2024 Defense TechConnect Innovation Challenge and we are delighted they can join us in Austin.”

 

 

 

Powercast Named as CES Innovation Awards Honoree in Sustainability/Energy Category for Matter-Compliant, Wirelessly-Powered Smart Home Sensor Technology

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Powercast Corporation, the one-stop-shop for wireless power, announces it has been named a CES Innovation Awards 2025 Honoree in the Sustainability & Energy/Power category for it’s Wireless Smart Home Automation Sensor Technology. The announcement comes ahead of CES 2025, happening Jan. 7 – 10 in Las Vegas, where Powercast will demonstrate its technology in the Venetian Expo, booth #51716.

The CES Innovation Awards program is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in 33 consumer technology categories. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including members of the media, designers, engineers, and more, reviewed submissions – a record number of over 3400 submissions this year – based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetic and design.

Powercast’s Wireless Smart Home Automation Sensor Technology lets manufacturers easily create and perpetually power sustainable, untethered, battery-free wireless smart home automation sensors, such as window, door, temperature, light, humidity, water and motion sensors, that will:

• Easily integrate into smart-home ecosystems (Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings) using Matter (connectivity standard) and Thread (wireless protocol)
• Install anywhere
• Eliminate the need for expensive home wiring
• Eliminate batteries and their inconvenient, expensive maintenance
• Keep toxic disposable batteries out of landfills

“Over the last 20 years, Powercast’s wireless power has saved hundreds of millions of batteries from landfills, so we are honored CES recognized our efforts to reduce waste and support a greener future,” said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast. “Our solution for sustainable wireless sensors eliminates charging, replacing or disposing of batteries because battery-free sensors are wirelessly charged, perpetually powered, and provide 24/7 intelligence with zero downtime.”

How Powercast’s Wireless Smart Home Automation Sensor Technology works:

Powercast’s RF (Radio Frequency) over-the-air (OTA) wireless power technology perpetually powers battery-free sensors. Manufacturers embed the Powerharvester® PCC110 wireless RF receiver chip and a small antenna into their sensors so they can be powered wirelessly from nearby RF transmitters. One RF transmitter can power all sensors installed up to 25 feet away, so placing one in each room will create a wireless power network (WPN) able to power all RF-enabled sensors throughout the home.

Powercast’s technology works with the Matter smart home connectivity standard and Thread wireless communication/IEEE 802.15.4 mesh network, which ensures interoperability between devices and allows easy integration into industry ecosystems like Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. Because Thread is designed to optimize performance in low-power devices, it uses less energy and maintains network stability by allowing devices to communicate over a dedicated, low-latency connection, making it ideal for Powercast’s low-power sensor network. Devices, such as intermittently-connected end devices, can remain idle and be powered entirely using Powercast technology, remaining powered once activated and while checking in with a Thread compatible router.

To demonstrate its technology at CES, in the Venetian Expo, booth #51716, Powercast will show a Matter-compliant, battery-free window sensor it developed that can be perpetually powered up to 25 feet away from an RF transmitter.

Powercast Unveils Maintenance-Free, Matter-Compliant, Wireless Smart Home Sensor Technology Powered Perpetually Over Air

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Powercast Corporation, the one-stop-shop for wireless power, will unveil next week at Sensors Converge (booth 915) a new technology solution, named a finalist in the Best of Sensors Awards program, for creating, deploying and perpetually powering sustainable, untethered, Matter-compliant wireless smart home automation sensors. These sensors: 1) integrate into smart home ecosystems (Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings) using Matter, 2) easily install anywhere, 3) eliminate the need for expensive home wiring, 4) won’t require inconvenient, expensive battery maintenance, and 5) keep toxic disposable batteries out of landfills.

Powercast’s Wireless Smart Home Automation Sensor solution is perpetually powered by the company’s RF (Radio Frequency) over-the-air (OTA) wireless charging technology. To enable either battery-free or rechargeable-battery-based sensors to power themselves over the air from nearby RF transmitters, manufacturers will embed Powercast’s tiny Powerharvester® PCC110 wireless RF receiver chip and a small antenna into their sensors for around $1 at volume, then use a rechargeable battery or no battery at all.

One RF transmitter in a room can power sensors installed up to 25 feet away, so placing one transmitter in each room will create a wireless power network able to perpetually power all the RF-enabled sensors throughout the home. There are also options for RF transmitters, including a licensable reference design that lets manufacturers integrate the electronics needed to convert their household products into Ubiquity™ RF transmitters (https://www.powercastco.com/transmitters/) for only $5 bill-of-material (BOM) cost.

“Smart home automation sensors exist, but are limited by wires and disposable batteries,” said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast. “Powercast’s solution for creating sustainable, untethered wireless sensors eliminates ever having to charge, replace or dispose of batteries because the sensors will be wirelessly charged, perpetually powered, and providing 24/7 intelligence with zero downtime.”

Range for OTA RF charging depends on how much power a device consumes; power-hungry devices must be closer to a transmitter while ultra-low-power devices like IoT sensors can work up to 120 feet away. Home automation sensors are low-power devices and hence good candidates for OTA charging. Sensor examples include contact (window, door), door lock, temperature, light, humidity, water, motion and many more.

Powercast’s technology works with the Matter smart home connectivity standard and Thread wireless communication protocol, which ensures interoperability between devices and allows easy integration into industry-standard ecosystems like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. Because Thread uses the IEEE 802.15.4 mesh network which enables robust, efficient, low-power communication between devices, Thread-compliant devices inherently use less power, making them great candidates for OTA charging.

To showcase its Best of Sensors finalist technology, Powercast developed a window sensor it will demonstrate at Sensors Converge. Internal testing on this Powercast-designed, Matter-compliant low-power window sensor showed it can charge up to 25 feet away from the transmitter using the Nordic nRF52840 Thread-complaint microcontroller. At this distance, the battery will never have to be replaced.
® Cortex® M4 processor with floating point unit (FPU) and 1MB Flash memory and 256kB RAM, plus a 2.4GHz multiprotocol radio that supports Bluetooth 5, ANT™, Thread, Matter, Zigbee, IEEE 802.15.4, and proprietary 2.4GHz RF protocol software.”

The Powerharvester PCC110 receiver chip (in a SC-70 package) operates across a wide RF power (-17 to +20dBm) and frequency (10MHz to 6GHz) range to convert RF to DC with up to 75 percent efficiency.

“Nordic Semiconductor is pleased to collaborate with Powercast on its Matter and Thread-compatible Wireless Smart Home Automation Sensor Technology and Best of Sensors finalist demonstration platform,” said Vince Hagen P.E., Global Business Development Manager, Nordic Semiconductor. “The Nordic nRF52840 System-on-Chip, in conjunction with the Nordic nRF Connect Software Development Kit uniquely supports concurrent wireless connectivity of multiple protocols. The SoC combines a 64MHz, 32-bit Arm