UCC researchers in bid to create longer-lasting phone batteries

Longer-lasting batteries for phones and tablet computers could result from new research at University College Cork — using theories developed by its first professor of maths over 150 years ago.

The Boolean algebra that forms the basis of digital computing systems in smartphones and computers is named after George Boole, who headed the maths department at what was then Queen’s College from 1849.

But over a century-and-a-half later, the same principles are to be used by a team of UCC researchers in a joint European project to develop low-powered electronic chips. The aim is to create environmentally-friendly chips that will help mobile phones and commuting devices last substantially longer using the same battery.