Scientists send power through steel plate

LONDON, July 21 (UPI) -- Scientists in Britain have demonstrated a device that can send power wirelessly through inches of steel or armor, authorities say.

Researchers at BAE Systems in the United Kingdom say the technology could be used to send power and communications signals through submarine hulls or armored doors, BBC News reported Wednesday.

Using very high frequency acoustics to convert a signal into sound waves, the system could save millions of dollars being spent adapting submarine hulls for communications equipment, the BBC said.

Currently, 300 holes have to be drilled in a submarine hull for sensors and the communications technology they require, BAE technology executive Dr. John Bagshaw said.

"In each of these holes, they fit special valves called penetrators," he said, each costing anywhere from $30,000 to $1.1 million.

"The total cost of all of its penetrators is in order of $120 million," he said.

In one demonstration to submarine commanders, Bagshaw sent power to a DVD player through a block of steel and played the movie "Das Boot."

As well as military applications, the technology could be used in the nuclear and oil industry, Bagshaw said.

"If you want sensors on the inside of a reactor vessel, you obviously don't want to be drilling holes in that vessel," he said.