ScoobyNet.com - Subaru Enthusiast Forum - Penny for your thoughts?

Just read about this, sounds interesting and worth a go.....

Penny for your thoughts?

Recent scientific studies suggest that the humble penny may hold the key to improving the safety of mobile phones across the world.

The research was based on the properties of copper, specifically its conduction of heat and electricity. Tests were being conducted to determine whether these properties would help minimise or even eliminate the low levels of radiation released by mobile phones as well as other devices. The results were startling. A three gram sliver of copper, placed directly behind a mobile phone battery was found to absorb at least 23%, and in some cases as much as 61% of the radiation emitted by a typical handset.

“The copper seems to act as a magnet for the radiation” said one senior researcher. “It's amazing that no one thought of this sooner, though I suppose only in the past couple of years have the potential dangers of using a cellphone really come to the public's attention.”

Based on this research, it appears that in the near future the batteries for mobile devices will be encased in a minute layer of copper in order to minimise any radiation risks.

But what about the millions currently using copper-free cellphones. A short term solution would be placing a penny between the battery and the case, or in cases where that's impossible, simply taping a penny to the rear of the phone. “Pennies minted before 1992 are 88% copper, and at a weight of 3.56 grams are almost perfect for the task” the researcher stated, continuing “in many lands which use phones that would be considered obsolete in the western world this may be a cheap and easy solution for years to come.”

It should be stressed that the penny does need to be from 1992 or before, as from that date onwards the composition changed to copper plated steel and, as a result, has none of the properties of it's older brother.