Intel cuts electric cords with wireless power system Thu Aug 21, 5:31 pm ET AFP/Getty Images/File – An Intel sign is displayed in front of the computer chip maker's headquarters in Santa Clara, California. SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – 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. "The trick with wireless power is not can you do it; it's can you do it safely and efficiently," Intel researcher Josh Smith said in an online video explaining the breakthrough. "It turns out the human body is not affected by magnetic fields; it is affected by elective fields. So what we are doing is transmitting energy using the magnetic field not the electric field." Examples of potential applications include airports, offices or other buildings that could be rigged to supply power to laptops, mobile telephones or other devices toted into them. source site
I've always thought it was stupid to have a wireless speaker system in a house that still needed to be plugged into a power outlet. I just wish this would be commercialized sooner. I hate power cords with a passion.
So this is kind of like the design Tesla invented except it is more efficient and uses less electricity? That's awesome!
The earth's magnetic force is pretty strong. Unless you have a compass directly next to an object being powered by this wireless technology, you should be fine.
That will lead to a lot of "oh no I left my compass on top of the laptop all night, now it's been re-magnetized incorrectly" (Wait, can that happen?) I kind of like the idea of having a "killswitch-" being able to unplug something in an emergency.
This is way better than sending feeble amounts of energy over radio waves! The only problem is that my wireless iPod and cell phone charger scam will be put in Jeopardy!...
Just think about it, you will never have to charge up phones/mp3 players/iPods etc... If it became mainstream it would be all around shops and homes. Anywhere you went everything you carried that uses electricity is being charged. Or technically it's plugged into the power point, but not, get it? Never have to charge up a phone, ever... Never need to buy disposable batteries, ever... Think about it? This is actually really life changing if you truly think abotu the implications of such a thing.
it really is, but what about Duracell and other companies going out of business? People loosing jobs? not to mention the strain increasing for electricity, because there world is straining it already.
Hold on their, it's going to take alot of research and hands to get this thing going I wouldn't worry about it yet.
I'm sure the big battery businesses will use the tech to make their own electricity feeds. It's only natural for them to stay competitive.
I'm thinking way down the track here. Like decades upon decades. Imagine everyone useing electric cars, and at each set of traffic lights, the poles holding the lights up are these eletric 'towers', charging any car that comes to the stop. Sure there would have to be some kind of tax or something for this but still. Just imagine, no fuel for cars... Ever. No having to charge your car overnight. Wow... The possibilities are endless with this technology.
Does anyone actually know how they work? If not, I'll be happy to provide an explanation. Basically, the wireless power transmitters are coils of metal. They are sized accordingly in order to have a certain frequency when the magnetic field affects the coil. In turn, this specific frequency vibrates the receiving coil. Result? Wifi-power.