 Centuries ago, Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla dreamt of broadcasting their electrical energy through the airwaves. Centuries later, their dreams may soon be fulfilled.
A group of researchers have proposed a method that allows wireless gadgets like mobile phone, laptops and other gadgets to be recharged by just simply being within close distance of an energy source.
It is by using a system of “midrange” energy nodes that is similar to the Internet wireless “hotspot” that gives computers wireless access to the Internet. This could enable an entire building or other large areas with wireless devices to be automatically charged.
This method involves electromagnetic resonance that allows energy to jump between two locations, as it does for very short distances inside an electric motor or transformer.
Devices running on wireless energy transfer could have no batteries but they can simply receive their power from the energy source directly by staying in close range of the source. The energy would jump onto the receiving device that resonates with the originating source.
This wireless energy transfer would be harmless to people.
So, when two resonant objects of the same frequency are placed together, they tend to couple very strongly. Resonance can be seen in musical instruments. When you play a tune on one instrument, then another instrument with the same acoustic resonance will pick up that tune, it will visibly vibrate.
Usually, we use systems that use electromagnetic radiation. However, these are not suitable for the efficient energy transfer as waves are scattered in all directions. This results in a waste of large amounts of energy.
Thus that if you bring another resonant object with similar frequency close enough to these “tails”, the energy can tunnel from one object to another.
|
Hence, a simple copper antenna is being designed to have long-lived resonance that could transfer energy to a laptop with its own antenna resonating at the same frequency. This computer would truly be wireless.
Any energy not diverted into a gadget or appliance is simply reabsorbed.
The systems that the team has described would be able to transfer energy over three to five metres and this can be scaled down to microscopic or nanoscopic range.
A UK company has designed a wireless recharging pad, which allows the gadget like mobile phones and MP3 players to be recharged by being placed on them.
The pads use electromagnetic induction to charge devices. This is the same process used to charge electric toothbrushes.
With technology so advanced, it will not be surprising that one day, electricity is being broadcast through the air into your home. Then, we are able to recharge our portable gadgets without plugging them into a wall socket.
|
|
Article compiled by Mr. Anshul Saxena, Technical Superintendent |
