Strategic Elements Eyes World-First Phone Call Powered Only by Breath
Strategic Elements targets what it believes may be the world’s first breath-powered phone call
Strategic Elements (ASX: SOR) has commenced a staged demonstration program targeting a mobile phone call powered entirely by breath moisture. The program follows comparative testing of prototype breath-optimised Energy Ink™ systems, which showed that a single breath produced over 1,000% more energy than comparable systems operating solely from ambient moisture in the air. A three-stage structured program has been established, with a Nokia 235 4G selected as the reference device, and Stage One activities already under way.
Managing Director, Charles Murphy
“We are still unlocking the science behind moisture energy, but we wanted to introduce a significant new engineered moisture pathway through a demonstration that everyone can understand.”
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
From ambient air to a single breath — what the data shows
What is Energy Ink™ and why does moisture source matter?
Energy Ink™ is a printable material that generates electricity from moisture. Development has historically focused on passive ambient humidity — moisture naturally present in the air. A separate investigation into alternative moisture sources within packaged systems has now produced findings that materially expand the technology’s scope.
That investigation identified breath as a dramatically more powerful moisture source than ambient air alone. The shift from passive to engineered moisture systems opens an entirely new design space for Energy Ink™ development, one that is no longer constrained by the relatively low energy availability of ambient humidity.
Initial prototype results
Initial testing was conducted on prototype Energy Ink™ cells placed into sealed units, with a single breath introduced. Key findings from that testing include:
- Cell size: 2cm x 2cm, approximately 2mm thick
- Energy output: approximately 7mWh per cell from a single breath
- Minimum operating voltage: 0.3V
- Energy required to boot the phone and complete a call: approximately 18mWh
- Energy increase versus ambient moisture-only systems: observed increases exceeding 1,000%
- Initial testing period: 24 hours
Initial energy profiling indicates the 18mWh budget may be achievable using a prototype Energy Ink™ system integrated with commercial power-management electronics. This is indicative at this stage and has not been confirmed through a completed demonstration.
The three-stage program is structured as follows:
| Stage | Description | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage One | Energy Ink™ demonstrator design | Q2 2026 | Commenced |
| Stage Two | Integrated energy generation, storage and operation | Early Q3 2026 | Planned |
| Stage Three | Boot-up and completion of phone call powered solely by moisture | TBD on earlier results | Planned |
The team and the investment case behind the science
Who is building this technology?
The technology is being developed by 100% owned Australian Advanced Materials Pty Ltd, in collaboration with Professor Dewei Chu at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Over multiple years, the company has worked alongside a number of recognised research and technology organisations:
- VTT Finland
- PrintoCent
- CSIRO
- Stealth Technologies Pty Ltd
Energy Ink™ development has been supported through competitive Federal research grants awarded under independent technical assessment, including an ARC Industry Fellowship awarded to Professor Dewei Chu for a $2.8 million project, and a $1.6 million ARC Linkage Grant for wearable electronics and moisture electric generation with UNSW.
Strategic Elements believes it is building one of the world’s leading teams focused on moisture energy systems.
Why this moment matters for investors
The 1,000%+ energy differential between breath-optimised and ambient moisture-only systems is not an incremental improvement. It signals that engineered moisture systems represent a materially different and more capable development pathway than passive ambient approaches.
Concurrent programs reinforce the depth of activity underway. Over 2,000 long-duration low-power prototype cells suited to sensor applications have been fabricated, with some operating for more than 4 months under laboratory conditions. Larger-scale moisture energy system engineering is also ongoing.
The staged structure of the demonstration program creates multiple shareholder update opportunities as each milestone is reached. Strategic Elements is an ASX-listed company backing early-stage Australian innovation where, as the company itself frames it, a single result can change everything.
The next major ASX story will hit our subscribers first
What comes next
The program’s next milestones, as stated in the announcement, are:
- Stage One (Q2 2026): Energy Ink™ demonstrator design
- Stage Two (early Q3 2026): Integrated energy generation, storage and operation
- Stage Three (timing dependent on earlier results): Boot-up and completion of a phone call powered solely by moisture
Beyond the initial demonstration, optimisation activities addressing moisture control, energy accumulation time, system integration and packaging design are expected to form part of future development.
The broader significance is that Energy Ink™ development is no longer limited to passive ambient humidity. With engineered moisture systems now representing an expanded frontier, the technology’s potential applications and performance ceiling may be considerably wider than previously understood.
Don’t Miss the Next ASX Tech Breakthrough
Big News Blast delivers FREE breaking ASX technology news to your inbox within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis. Over 20,000 subscribers are already staying ahead of the market. Click the “Free Alerts” button at StockWire X to get the next market-moving tech announcement the moment it drops.