Sep. 5, 2012 Window contacts tell users if a window is open or
closed. Typically, such sensors are wire-based. Scientists
working with industry partners recently developed a new system
that operates without wires or batteries. It draws its power
from its environment: from sunlight and ambient heat. A bad
weather front is fast approaching and a cloudburst is imminent.
If you happen to be away from home, but have left a window open,
either deliberately or because you forgot to check one room, you
may be in for a wet surprise when you come home. However, it
does not have to be like that: Thanks to a new sensor system,
such situations can now be avoided. A sensor embedded in the
window frame detects if a window is closed, cracked open or wide
open and sends this information to a base station at the main
door. When leaving the house, a resident can tell at a glance
which windows are open and which closed. Since the system
enables remote queries, users can even monitor windows via a
smartphone. Researchers at the F