“We're introducing the first effective way to send power through thin air.” These are not the words of a character from an outlandish sci-fi novel. These are the words of John Shearer, the CEO of Powercast, a Pennsylvania-based company that specializes in wireless power through the use of radio frequency (RF) energy.

Wireless power enables people to keep battery-powered devices constantly charged, from cell phones to wireless keyboards.

It works by sending a continuous, low RF signal from the mains-connected transmitter. Any nearby battery-powered wireless device equipped with the Powercast receiver (no bigger than a fingernail) will be continuously charged.

The product won 'Best in Show for Emerging Technologies' in January 2007 at the international Computer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, from a field of about 20,000-plus new products from around the world.

The potential for this innovative device is huge, with applications as diverse as medical implants to iPod Nanos being considered.

This exciting new technology could fundamentally alter the way we interact with our wireless devices. Watch this space.