The Advanced Engineering Innovation Research Group (AEIRG) of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT, Minna) has completed its latest research project, titled “Fabrication of Intelligent Wireless Mobile Phone Battery Charger”.
This project was recently handed over to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at their headquarters. The NCC had approved the grant for the project in 2019, with the aim of developing a wireless phone charger that would overcome the limitations of traditional charging methods by utilizing advancements in wireless technology.
The developed prototype has several features, including the ability to charge multiple mobile phones, detect the presence of a phone, and improved mobility, constant voltage, radiation control, and AI coil technology. During the handing over ceremony, the FUT Minna team demonstrated the functionality of the project, showcasing its ability to detect mobile phones while charging multiple devices.
During the handing over ceremony, Engr. Adeyinka Adedigba, the lead investigator of the project, explained the methodology adopted, the various approaches investigated, the results obtained, the various prototypes made, and the steps taken towards the commercialization of the developed prototype. He pointed out that artificial intelligence was used to optimize the coil winding for the charger to reduce overheating, a common issue with existing chargers. The developed prototype has several features, including the ability to charge multiple mobile phones, detect the presence of a phone, and improved mobility, constant voltage, radiation control, and AI coil technology.
Alh. Ismail Adedigba, Director, Research and Development Dept, NCC appreciated the fruitful efforts of the FUT Minna team, suggesting ways to improve the marketability of the developed prototype.
Dr. Taliha Folorunso, who led the team to the event, expressed his gratitude to the NCC for awarding numerous research grants though a competitive peer-reviewed grants award process to the team and university since 2014 with the latest research grant awarded in 2019. He proudly stated that over 40 undergraduate, post-graduate students and research assistants have worked on various NCC funded research grants awarded to the university, with many of them now high-flyers in their various endeavors after graduation.
The Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Offa, (SUN, Offa) Kwara State, who was also the pioneer coordinator of AEIRG, FUT, Minna congratulated the team on the successful completion of the project and encouraged the principal investigator to proceed with the registration of intellectual property with appropriate authority in Nigeria.
Other investigators, researchers, team leaders, and students present at the event include Dr. Sadiq Ahmad, Engineer Jibril Bala, Eric Olatunji, Blessing Olaoye, Abdullahi Asimiyu, Raimah Alayaki, Goodness Binuyo, and Sandra Itodo all from AEIRG, FUT Minna.
On the part of NCC, Engr Babagana Digima, Team Lead, Nigeria Office for developing Indigenous Telecoms Sector; Beluchi Nwanisobi, Head, Knowledge Management Center; Chinwe Maduabum Head, Academia Research Support Unit; Mr. Abba Kyari and Dr Nasir Noma witnessed the occassion.