Wireless energy transfer
Wireless energy transfer or wireless power transmission is the process that takes place in any system where electrical energy is transmitted from a power source to an electrical load, without interconnecting wires. Wireless transmission is useful in cases where instantaneous or continuous energy transfer is needed, but interconnecting wires are inconvenient, hazardous, or impossible.
How Wireless Power Works
Inductive Coupling
An electric toothbrush's base and handle contain coils that allow the battery to recharge.
© Copyright Splashpower 2006
A Splashpower mat uses induction to recharge multiple devices simultaneously.
Resonance and Wireless Power
The MIT wireless power project uses a curved coil and capacitive plates.
According to the theory, one coil can recharge any device that is in range, as long as the coils have the same resonant frequency.
MIT WITRICITY
NOT SO ORIGINAL AFTER ALL
For those who believe the 2006 MIT “Witricity” demonstration was the first of its kind, look at this illustration from “Tesla Apparatus and Experiments—How to Build Both Large and Small Tesla and Oudin Coils and How to Carry On Spectacular Experiments With Them,” by H. Winfield Secor, Practical Electrics, November 1921.
Imagine a future in which wireless electricity makes everyday products more convenient, reliable, and environmentally friendly.
WiTricity Corp.’s vision is to develop a family of wireless electric power components that will enable OEM’s in a broad range of industries and applications to make their products truly “wireless.” Wireless electric power delivered over room scale distances, and with high efficiency. Wireless electric power that is safe for people and animals. Wireless electric power—imagine no more… it’s here!
Long-distance Wireless Power
The Stationary High Altitude Relay Platform (SHARP) unmanned plane could run off power beamed from the Earth.
Stations on Earth can receive energy from the moon via microwaves.
Imagine providing the Earth or a moon base with harnessed solar power, or traveling in space without returning to Earth for fuel. That’s the idea behind space-based solar power generators such as this SunTower. Depending upon size, two small panels on a tall tower could power a communications satellite, four panels might power a robotic interplanetary probe, six a manned spacecraft, while 20 panels might supply energy down to Earth or for a lunar base.
This giant disk floating in space isn’t a UFO. It’s a power generator, harvesting energy from the Sun for a variety of uses back on Earth.
Sources:
Eric Giler demos wireless electricity | Video on TED.com
Wireless energy transfer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HowStuffWorks "How Wireless Power Works"
MIT Witricity — Not So Original After All
WiTricity Corp. Home — Wireless Electricity Delivered Over Distance
WiTricity Corp. — Basics of WiTricity Technology
File:Suntower.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marshall Space Flight Center News Photos
Related:
Wireless Power Consortium
Wireless Electricity, Explained | Design & Innovation | Fast Company
Wireless Electricity Is Here (Seriously) | Page 3 | Fast Company