Actually, Intel is working on that:
Intel on Thursday showed off a wireless electric power system that analysts say could revolutionize modern life by freeing devices from transformers and wall outlets.
Intel chief technology officer Justin Rattner demonstrated a Wireless Energy Resonant Link as he spoke at the California firm's annual developers forum in San Francisco.
Electricity was sent wirelessly to a lamp on stage, lighting a 60 watt bulb that uses more power than a typical laptop computer.
Most importantly, the electricity was transmitted without zapping anything or anyone that got between the sending and receiving units ["Intel Cuts Electric Cords with Wireless Power System," AFP via Yahoo, 2008.08.22].
Totally cool! And totally not ready for commercial development: Intel's Rattner speaks of tech transformations happening by the year 2050... just in time to power the robot legs I'll need when I'm 80! Yahoo!
Read more on Intel's wireless power system:
- John Markoff, "Intel Moves to Free Gadgets of Their Recharging Cords," New York Times, 2008.08.20
- Intel news release on wireless power and more
- Intel Developer Forum 2008 (where the demo took place... which you can view via webcast soon!)
This looks like something out of the laboratory of Michael Faraday, Thomas Edison, or Nikola Tesla. Fun!
ReplyDeleteOops, strike Faraday. He died before Edison had a working light bulb.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's completely safe and there's nothing to worry about! http://notnews.today.com/2008/08/23/intel-demonstrates-wireless-power-for-the-home/
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing inherently dangerous about this technology and the physics they are exploiting are well known. It's using inductive coupling to transfer the energy.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with this though, is that a large amount of energy is stored in both inductive coils. If the circuit is broken too quickly it will release a broad spectrum pulse much like a spark gap. Electronics on both ends of the link need to be properly designed to suppress this pulse.
If such pulses are not accounted for, they will cause a huge amount of interference to all other wireless communication devices nearby.
Also, the amount of energy transfered is highly dependent on the orientation of the base station and the receiving unit. It will not send energy to devices in all directions.