Could your next cell phone recharge from the air?

Not quite 'air', but what's passing through it - radio waves. Researchers at the Nokia Research Centre in Cambridge (UK) are working on a technology that can distill a little bit of energy from ambient radio and TV energy in the air surrounding us. The cell phone would pick up the kind of radio energy which includes TV broadcasts, microwave ovens, cell and cordless phones, wi-fi, bluetooth, GPS, and two-way radios.

Their primary goal would be to harvest enough energy to keep the phone charged in standby mode. So far, their device can collect up to 5 milliwatts of power. Their next goal is to collect 20 milliwatts of power, which is just enough to keep the phone charged in standby mode. Ultimately, 50 milliwatts of power would be ideal and could help slowly recharge the battery.