Patent ID: 8912908

Claim:
A device for communication, the device comprising: a first communication unit comprising a support structure; a partial power source comprising a first material deposited onto the support structure; and a second material deposited onto the support structure and electrically isolated from the first material, wherein the first material and the second material are selected to have a voltage potential difference when in contact with a conductive fluid to provide power to activate the device; a control module associated with the support structure and electrically connected to the first material and the second material and configured to control conductance between the first material and the second material, wherein, when the first material and the second material are in contact with the conductive fluid, a change in the conductance between the first material and the second material alters a current flow extending through the conductive fluid between the first material and the second material to thereby encode information in a current signature; a second communication unit in communication with the control module and associated with the support structure to at least either receive a signal from an external source or send a signal to the external source; a sealed housing defining a cavity, wherein the first and second communication units are positioned within the cavity; and a release material within the cavity, wherein the second communication unit generates a release command to cause the release material to expand and open the sealed housing to release the first communication unit into the conductive fluid to activate the partial power source and thereby activate the device.