Wireless Power

Applications (1.1 Created 02.23.2010, Modified 03.214.2010)

There is an extensive amount of science break-through and amazing technology being discovered and researched on a daily basis; but unless that technology has a purpose, it will never surpass the research stage. Wireless power has been pushed aside in the past by researchers due to the fact that there was not a large market for a system like this. Within the past 20 years, portable electronics – i.e. mP3 players, PDAs, cell phones, digital cameras, video game systems, laptops – have become household items. With the amount of portable electronics that are being frequently used, batteries that are used are either quickly disposed of or need to be recharged often.

"Every single person in the world can relate to the problem of running out of batteries or having wires everywhere …The market is so potentially huge that numbers become meaningless." Eric Giler CEO, WiTricity

Wireless power has multiple applications on many different range levels. Anywhere from being able to charge your cell phone by placing it down on your desk to creating smaller, more eco-friendly, inexpensive electronics that don’t require a mandatory battery power source. The three most predominant examples of this technology are WiPower®, WiTricity©, and WHDI.

WiPower is an American company that helps inventors, researchers, and developers create new revolutionary products that use their near-field power transfer systems. The system itself is a straightforward power system with a standard “pad” style transmitter and receiver that uses inductive coupling to transfer power.

The system is limited to very short range power cycling, but this con is overshadowed by the numerous advantages to the sy...

... middle of paper ...

...c experiment to something that can be produced in the factory.”.

This technology has already started to be incorporated into consumer electronics. While working with electronics manufacturer Haier, WiTricity demonstrated their product at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show by powering a 32” LCD flat screen television without any type of cables or wires. Microchip manufacturer Intel has also publicly demonstrated this technology. In 2008, Intel displayed a unit that transferred 60 watts over two feet that was 75% efficient, according to an article by ExtremeTech. Soljacic’s research partners were able to power a 1000 watt klieg light from across the room during the Nikkei electronics conference during October 2009 in Tokyo. The WiTricity system has been documented to distribute up to 3000 watts at the moment; which is enough to fully charge an electric car.