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[Raistlin]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=858722


http://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/wireless-electricity.html

We knew it was just a matter of time. Wireless electricity. Next will come transporters, food replicators and then, finally, the holodeck - and you know I'm never leaving my house once that arrives. A group of scientists at MIT have demonstrated what they are tentatively calling "WiTricity" - the ability to send significant amounts of electricity through the air without the use of wires. For many this has been the holy grail of achievements and could signal a new revolutionary wave of development in the consumer electronics industry.
According to an article over at Daily Mail:

"The inspiration came when the lead researcher, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr Marin Soljacic, was standing in his kitchen at night staring at his mobile phone.

It was probably the sixth time that month that I was awakened by my cell phone beeping to let me know that I had forgotten to charge it. It occurred to me that it would be so great if the thing took care of its own charging," he said.

The concept works by using the principles of electromagnetic induction where you pass electricity from one coil to another. It's a transmitter/receiver arrangement of sorts and is already being used in many applications today - except that typically the transmitting and receiving coils need to be very close together. In WiTricity, the system basically fills the room with a 'non-radiative' electromagnetic field. To objects that aren't designed to resonate with the field (plants, desks, walls, your grandmother Lois) the field simply passes by harmlessly and is ignored.

But if you design an object to absorb the energy by resonating with the field then you get a result that is about as close to magic as we will experience in our lifetimes. Using 2 copper coils, the MIT team transferred power over 7 feet to light up a light bulb - which lit up instantly. Let me rehash this - using only a copper coil (of sorts) as the sending device, a group of scientists actually delivered wireless power (about 60 watts worth) over 7 feet away!

So far they claim to be able to accomplish the feat at up to 9 ft. Eventually they think they can go up to a few yards to devices connected to a receiving coil. The possibilities are endless. Since the transmitter and receiver need not be in view, you can mount the device in a ceiling, conceivably activating an entire room in an electromagnetic field that will power everything in it - all without harming anyone in the room... well, you may not be able to have any children - but your laptop will work without a battery!

Unlike the Segway, WiTricity would be a technology that would simply revolutionize the world, how products are built and developed and how public and private establishments are created. If wireless power becomes a reality then consumers are looking at a brand new world of technological connectivity and possibilities that have not yet been realized in the world. More than a few scenarios come to mind:

* Wireless power in the classroom means that laptops and portables can be made even smaller and lighter and users will be able to utilize products for longer before having to concern themselves with power requirements
* Public transportation, especially airlines, trains and busing can be WiTricity-enabled to provide a more work-friendly environment for commuters and business travelers
* Homes can be redesigned to allow for automatic recharging of portables and electronics, providing "hot zones" for particular rooms or areas that would be beneficial for compatible products.
* At some point, portable electronics might rely so heavily on this type of technology that its use will be widespread enough to eliminate 50-60% of portable battery use, making batteries a requirement only for people not living in urban environments or not intending to locate themselves primarily in public areas.

With regards to safety "The researchers believe there is little to worry about on safety grounds, saying that magnetic fields interact weakly with living organisms and are unlikely to have any serious side effects." I've heard this before, however I would probably still posit how much research will need to be done in order to convince people that this isn't the equivalent of bringing the local power station into your home. Avoiding unnecessary exposure to electromagnetic fields just seems to be common sense and it will take some convincing (I would believe) before many people will be willing to accept the responsibility of reworking the public infrastructure to encompass this type of technology.

Now, who's working on that holo deck?

 

[fatigues_gasolini]

Up next: Hot Ice!

 

[chubigans]

Insaneness.

 

[Jamesfrom818]

This will be on the PS4 and drive the cost of the console to $1000

 

[DarienA]

This process is barely 40% efficient at this point... it still has a LONG way to go....

 

[Raistlin]

This process is barely 40% efficient at this point... it still has a LONG way to go....

Certainly one obvious advancement is to set up some sort of communication. The devices tell the transmitter that it needs to recharge, and once they are done ... the transmitter turns off.

That doesn't change the efficiency, but at least you aren't just dumping power for no reason. It should be noted that charging batteries isn't 100% either ... so if they can at least get it close ... it is a pretty nice solution.



I'm more inclined to entertain the long-term consequences. Assuming some sort of major, environmentally responsible power source is ever created ... just imagine a society where it is constantly powering everything. Basically no chords for anything.

While that is obviously something far into the future ... it isn't entirely science fiction based on this.

 

[rezuth]

You can already charge batteries wireless with one of those magnetic boards.

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

Vindication!

 

[bachikarn]

I have a feeling this will cause cancer or something.

 

[Armitage]

I have a feeling this will cause cancer or something.

Wondering about cancer causes cancer.

Alternative post:

Your post causes cancer!

 

[Raistlin]

If that were true ... considering the amount of electromagnetic waves we are constantly subjected to (radio, TV, satellite, WiFi, BlueTooth, etc.) ... were ****ed already

 

[Vic]

Up next: Hot Ice!

hehehe

 

[TheOMan]

So, back in high school physics, we were studying electromagnetism and I remember asking my teacher what would happen if we found a way to transmit electricity through the air and have a receiver pick it up...and if it would that result in wireless electricity? He said "No, that's impossible". Of course I believed him - wish I had done more research on Tesla :/. Sigh.

 

[Date of Lies]

If that were true ... considering the amount of electromagnetic waves we are constantly subjected to (radio, TV, satellite, WiFi, BlueTooth, etc.) ... were ****ed already

does that also mean the electric wireless devices would be able to pick those up as well for energy?

 

[yayaba]

Supposedly this is done through magnetism, not electric waves. They mentioned that magnetic waves had no impact to humans as far as we know right now.

I own an electric toothbrush and before I read this today, I was always wondering, "how the hell does this thing charge?". It's the kind with the rubber base that you simply just place on top of the charger. No metal contact, no nothing. It always bewildered me that it could charge.

Now I know how and it's pretty cool.

Seriously, if they can get the 40% efficiency up to 90% or so, this could really take off. (assuming it can power enough things too... is there a bandwidth limitation to this?)

 

[Tarazet]

If that were true ... considering the amount of electromagnetic waves we are constantly subjected to (radio, TV, satellite, WiFi, BlueTooth, etc.) ... were ****ed already

We are ****ed already. Haven't you heard?

 

[Jade Knight 08]

I bet those things might give us brain cancer in the near future!!!!

 

[qcf x2]

That's a little TOO much cancer, sorry.

 

[valkillmore]

That's a little TOO much cancer, sorry.

LOL :lol :lol :lol like there's a cancer cut-off!

 

[X26]

A world without powerlines and telephone poles isn't a world I want to live in

 

[otthon]

A world without powerlines and telephone poles isn't a world I want to live in

Would someone think of the damn squirrels!

 

[Xzior]

Meh... I want my military grade Tesla Coils damnit!

 

[Hollywood_mIRC]

Wow, I imagine these waves can't get good for your body. What's next - faucetless water transfer?

 

[otthon]

Meh... I want my military grade Tesla Coils damnit!

Closest thing:

http://www.lestercreative.com/falls_view.htm

As the audience looks on, a 45-foot-tall fountain with cascading weirs and funnels turns into a display of electrical energy. The energy is ostensibly generated by the pulsing water turning three simulated six-foot diameter turbines at the base. The water volume gets turned up, and the fountain appears to grow increasingly out of control, as communication between a maintenance worker and his boss are misconstrued (the audience hears voices only, as if the two men were communicating via walkie-talkie). Soon the light emitting diode (LED) panels are pulsing a fiery orange-red, the water is churning and foaming, and electrical charges apparently shoot through five faux power transmission cables looping from the fountain’s pinnacle across to the ribs of the etched glass dome and down the rotunda walls. Audience members sitting on marble benches around the perimeter get a buzz, to add to the fun.