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/.

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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.

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JOTO PR™
+1 727-777-4629
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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

Powercast Joins RAIN Alliance Sustainability Working Group, Explains RF Wireless Power’s Role in Sustainable RAIN RFID Systems

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Powercast Corporation, the industry’s one-stop-shop for wireless power, announced it has joined RAIN RFID Alliance’s Sustainability Working Group. This group’s goal is to provide education onhow RAIN RFID technology, already used worldwide for the item tracking necessary in inventory management, stock control, logistics, retail and other applications, can also be an enabler for companies to achieve their sustainability objectives.

What is RAIN RFID? RAIN Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless technology that uses both handheld and fixed ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID inventory readers that are prevalent in industries around the globe to connect billions of everyday items to the internet. It enables businesses and consumers to identify, locate, authenticate and engage each item bearing an RFID tag or label.

The Sustainability Working Group just published a report, “Bridging the Gap – Connecting Corporate Sustainability with RAIN RFID,” based on a 20-company survey of apparel, automotive, healthcare and other companies. Findings include:

  • Data collected in existing RFID applications can also inform sustainability strategies, and there is evidence this is happening, but more education is needed to bridge RFID systems and sustainability efforts.
  • Many examples of how RFID can help address sustainability challenges already exist, including: 1) achieving inventory accuracy levels that reduce waste and keep excess goods out of landfills, 2) being able to anticipate the lifespan of a product to facilitate recycling and waste management, and 3) collecting environmental data related to CO2 reduction.

“Powercast is committed to initiatives furthering a brighter sustainable future for generations to come, so we’re excited to join like-minded companies in RAIN’s Sustainability Working Group,” said Charles Greene, Ph.D., COO and CTO of Powercast. “Since 2007, our wireless power technologies have enabled untethered devices that need no battery maintenance and reduce the e-waste – cables, cords and disposable batteries – that litters landfills.”

Charles Goetz, CEO of Powercast, will explain wireless power’s role in sustainable RAIN RFID systems at the Connections Summit 2024, organized by RAIN RFID Alliance and NFC Forum, in Taichung, Taiwan, from May 13th to 16th.

“Combining RAIN’s identification and communication capabilities with Powercast’s radio frequency (RF) to direct current (DC) conversion technology can create smart, sustainable, maintenance-free device ecosystems able to both recharge and communicate over the air without wires or disposable batteries,” continued Greene.

How Powercast’s Wireless RF Power Technology Combines with RAIN RFID to Add Functionality:

Since UHF RFID readers emit an RF signal that’s similar to that of Powercast’s RF wireless power transmitters, these readers can be a reliable source of wireless power. Powercast’s tiny Powerharvester® PCC110 receiver chip embedded in RFID tags or labels can harvest RF and data sent over the air from any RFID reader – whether it’s fixed infrastructure or a handheld reader used by employees – and convert that RF to usable DC to both power devices and communicate data. Range depends on power consumption level; most devices can function up to 20 feet from a reader, while ultra-low-power devices can work up to 120 feet away. Devices can either be batteryless or rechargeable-battery-based, which eliminates inconvenient and expensive battery replacement efforts and keeps disposable batteries out of landfills.

As examples, a Powerharvester embedded in an electronic paper display (EPD) tag such as a retail electronic shelf-edge label (ESL), or an environmental sensing or logistics tag can harvest RF when it comes within range of a UHF RFID reader.

Several EPD applications were recently developed using partner E Ink’s bi-stable digital ePaper screen that can maintain an image perpetually, without a constant power source, until another over-the-air wireless update is sent. These EPDs include a wireless electronic bag tag, which harvests RF from airport RFID equipment to refresh the passenger’s itinerary on the screen; and Powercast’s own batteryless ESL which enables over-the-air retail price updates.

Other RFID over-the-air wireless power applications include environmental monitoring, such as Powercast’s RFID Sensor Tags which measure temperature, light and humidity; logistics and advanced location tracking devices; and sensing devices on products such as tires.

Powercast’s Energy-Saving, Sustainable Building Automation Technology Receives Smart Buildings Innovation Award

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The Wireless 25-Year Maintenance-Free Building Automation Sensor and Controller Technology for HVAC, Lighting Saves Substantial Energy, Costs 40% Less than Wired Systems, Eliminates Battery Maintenance and Reduces Battery E-Waste

Powercast announced that its Wireless 25-Year Maintenance-Free Building Automation Sensor and Controller Technology for HVAC and Lighting Systems has received an  IoT Evolution Smart Buildings Innovation Award from IoT Evolution World. These awards acknowledge the companies behind the innovations transforming the way we design, construct, operate, and inhabit buildings.

Powercast’s sustainable building automation technology features revolutionary Lifetime Power® battery-powered sensors that last 25 years to provide wireless, maintenance-free, advanced HVAC and lighting control:

  • The wirelessly-controllable lighting technology achieves substantial energy savings because it can harvest and efficiently use daylight energy, auto dim, and turn off lights when motion sensors detect no occupants.
  • The HVAC system monitors environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, light, C02, differential pressure, contact closure, and more.

Such advanced environmental monitoring allows companies to embrace green initiatives, achieve LEED certification, adhere to regulatory requirements, and achieve significant cost savings through automation which can uncover patterns and insights to further optimize energy efficiency and identify potential issues before they arise.

“In an industry where most Building Automation Systems’ (BAS) batteries last 7-10 years, Powercast’s battery-powered sensors instead last 25 years for a lifetime sensing and environmentally-friendly solution, eliminating both the hassle and expense of battery maintenance, and reducing disposable battery e-waste that also keeps toxins out of landfills,” said Charles Greene, PhD, COO and CTO of Powercast.

Additional savings come from the wirelessly-powered sensors themselves. Companies don’t have to plan for building wiring or pay electrical labor to run wires. Without wires or battery maintenance, users can install more sensors to increase data for optimizing energy savings and comfort.

“We estimate our wirelessly-powered sensor system can save users 40%-50% over the installed cost of wired sensor and controller building automation systems, while also making a positive impact on the environment,” continued Greene. “The system is simple, intuitive and effective.”

“It is my pleasure to recognize the 25-Year Maintenance-Free Building Automation Sensor and Controller Technology for HVAC and Lighting Systems, an innovative solution that earned Powercast an IoT Evolution Smart Buildings Innovation Award,” said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC (co-publishers of IoT Evolution).

Powercast developed these systems both independently and in collaboration with partners, and they are covered by over 50 patents.  The Powercast Lifetime Power technology is available through partnership to develop similar or new innovative products that create smart wireless solutions for sustainable applications.