ready in use as step-up transformers in some laptops to light the monitors, which can take 700 volts to turn on and 50 to 150 volts to continue their operations," says Uchino. A key advantage of piezoelectric PC power adapters is that they do not produce the heat that conventional electromagnetic transformers produce. Electromagnetic power adapters also produce heat, noise, and interference. Piezoelectric power adapters operate in the ultrasonic range, SO humans cannot hear any sound produced, and they do not produce any electromag- netic interference. "Right now, we can reduce the adapters to one-fourth of their current size," says Uchino. "Eventually, we would like to make it the size of a pen, but that is far away." Uchino wants to make an adaptor that's small enough to become an internal part of the notebook, eliminating the need for users to carry a separate "power brick" on their journeys. Uchino notes that, although his group is targeting the notebook computer market, small piezoelectric adapters are suitable for any appliance that requires an AC to DC converter and transformer. The Penn State researchers are developing the technology in collaboration with Virginia-based Face Electronics and Taiheiyo Cement Corporation of Japan. 8.2.1 Glass Battery Another material that shows power storage promise is glass-the same material used in everything from car windshields to beer bottles. As far as inventions go, a glass battery sounds about as promising as a concrete basketball or an oatmeal telephone. But inventor Roy Baldwin claims that his unique power source could someday energize everything from mobile phones to automobiles. Baldwin's battery is based on Dynaglass, an inorganic polymer that's allegedly stronger than steel, yet flexible enough to wrap food. Baldwin, a SMALLER, LIGHTER POWER ADAPTER retired mechanical engineer, says Dynaglass was developed in the mid-1990s, but some of the technology is based on research by the Soviet military and space programs. He learned about the material while helping a fr