To send power miles away without huge line losses demanded that electricity be stepped up to a high voltage, then stepped down again at the receiving end.

FORBES: The warlock of Menlo Park

What's interesting about the new design is the two piezoelectric sensors attached to each end -- one of them transfers a low voltage of power through the armor in the form of vibration, which the other picks up, and the reported energy loss is interpreted as armor degradation.

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Power-saving techniques and voltage and frequency "slewing" will allow its chip to lower electricity consumption by up to 50%.

FORBES: Magazine Article