In this discussion with Eric Biel, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Powercast, listeners explore the groundbreaking potential of wireless power in supply chains. Eric highlights how batteryless RFID tags can eliminate e-waste while enhancing product tracking and compliance with regulations. He shares insights on how RF energy enables real-time monitoring and reduces maintenance. The conversation delves into the surprising benefits of these technologies on emissions and operational efficiency, making sustainability practical and innovative.
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insights INSIGHT
Three Legs Of Wireless Power
PowerCast builds three wireless power approaches: inductive (Qi), RF far-field, and magnetic resonance for different ranges and power needs.
Each approach targets distinct use cases, balancing placement freedom, range, and transferred power.
insights INSIGHT
Regulatory Limits Shape Air Charging
Air beamed RF charging is technically possible but limited by regulatory power caps, so throughput and user experience vary widely.
Eric Biel frames exposure as orders of magnitude lower than typical cell phone use, making it safe in practical deployments.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Samsung Eco Remote Cut Millions Of Batteries
Samsung's eco remote removed alkaline batteries and used a supercapacitor topped by USB-C, solar, and PowerCast chips harvesting ambient Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth energy.
That design eliminated millions of disposable batteries and reduced lifecycle waste for widespread TV remotes.
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What if you could track products across your supply chain without relying on batteries or manual barcode scans?
In this episode of the Sustainable Supply Chain podcast, I speak with Eric Biel, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Powercast, about how wireless power and RAIN RFID are unlocking smarter, more sustainable logistics. Eric explains how ambient RF energy can power sensors and tags over the air, eliminating battery waste, reducing maintenance, cabling, and enabling real-time environmental monitoring.
We explore how batteryless RFID can support compliance with the EU’s upcoming Digital Product Passport regulations by providing lifecycle transparency from factory floor to disposal. We also cover how Powercast is helping companies like Samsung cut e-waste at scale, and how this same tech is being used in places as unexpected as commercial ovens.
Key takeaways:
Why barcodes and battery-powered sensors are limiting supply chain visibility
How RF-powered tags offer low-maintenance, long-life alternatives
The surprising impact of passive wireless charging on emissions and operations
What supply chain leaders should stop doing if they’re serious about sustainability
This is a conversation about turning regulation into innovation, and making sustainability practical through smart design.
🎧 Listen in to learn how wireless power might quietly reshape your supply chain.
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