Wireless Power Gets A Boost

srizah writes "At CES, Las Vegas, two companies — Arizona-based WildCharge and Michigan-based Fulton have demonstrated what are very different ways to charge gadgets sans wires. "

I, for one ...

[milo_a_wagner (1002274)]

Can't wait for this stuff. Imagine it - slap your mobile down on your desk and it's charged. Your MacBook - chargind while you use it with no wires. Awesome. A pad that can charge multiple devices (as in the article) would also be great. But how realistic is this, by which I mean, how far away is this tech from being 'in the shops'? I suspect it'll be some time. Wingrove says their first device will be available this Summer, but I'm sceptical. And I *don't* want my phone/laptop etc. to have a wireless don

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[rahlquist (558509)]

Why settle for slapping it down on your desk. How about just get in your car.

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[yourexhalekiss (833943)]

What is to prevent technologies like this from malfunctioning and frying everyone in the room? I'm not trolling, I'm just curious about the tech behind it.

Re:I, for one ...

[rahlquist (558509)]

Its been in limited use for years in Electric toothbrushes and its relatively safe. If you understand how inductance and transformers work then you've got more than half the understanding.

From Wikipedia "A transformer is an electrical device that transfers energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling with no moving parts. A transformer comprises two or more coupled windings, or a single tapped winding and, in most cases, a magnetic core to concentrate magnetic flux. A changing current in one winding creates a time-varying magnetic flux in the core, which induces a voltage in the other windings."

Think of these devices as each the charging base and the unit to be charged having half the transformer, bring them into proximity of each other and they begin to work. Ok its an over simplification but thats the basics.

Available since 1997

[giafly (926567)]

My electric toothbrush works like this. Basically half the transformer is in the handle end of the toothbrush, and the other half is wrapped around a socket that it plugs into. Apparantly brushes like this have been available since 1997 [engadget.com].

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[RMH101 (636144)]

are you trolling? what similarity there is between a magnet to clip two things together, and the (bloody obvious) use of a small airgap between two coils of a transformer to charge things by near contact, i really don't know. but no, all of your worries are groundless.

You're partly right

[giafly (926567)]

Transformers certainly get less efficient if you increase the gaps between the components. Think of it like this: one half of the transformer is using electricity to produce a varying magnetic field; the other half is intercepting the varying magnetic field and using its energy to generate electricity; if you increase the spacing then less of the magnetic field is intercepted. This means the system works less hard, so overall it's cooler, but presumably charging takes longer.

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[rufty_tufty (888596)]

Remembering though that a perfect transformer/inductor (no resistive losses in the windings) uses no power whatsoever. However the currents running through the windings which have finite resistance produces( I^2)R losses each cycle .

One reason why room temperature superconductors are so interesting..

However even such a perfect inductor would still consume power as read by a domestic meter because it measures IV to determine power consumption - of course we could then apply power factor correction, but then

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[aadvancedGIR (959466)]

If there is one thing that is absolutelly non-realistic in your post is the implicit idea that manufacturers could agree on standards so that you could have a single pad charging all your devices.
And personally, between the inconvinience of plugging a battery charger every couple of days for my phone, my MP3 and my handheld console and having a device radiating WATTS in my bedroom, I'll stick to the first option.

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[vhogemann (797994)]

I can see one of these on every airport table some years from now.

Not having to get under your desk to plug that damn AC/DC adapter. This might not be power over air... but it's a HUGE improvement indeed.

Hardly revolutionary

[Rabid Spud (957863)]

when you consider that the key to this device actually operating is that your device needs to be "fitted internally or externally with an adapter... ". Unless this also acts as a transformer then its pretty much useless. I can't see manufactures integrating internal adaptors in their devices either since it increases the device size and introduces heat.

Microwave power transmission

[dino213b (949816)]

(Or MPT) is an actual working technology already in use - I seem to recall a small experimental, remotely controlled, airplane that was powered this way. A ground microwave dish followed it as it moved across the sky and that powered the motors and other scientific experiments. On the other hand, a stationary object such as a cell phone shouldn't have a problem being powered in a dedicated recharge zone (such as a counter or shelf that would be designated as a human-unsafe area). Wikipedia claims that power transmission efficiencies and radiation are mostly negligible -- if so, does that mean that we should be going after it or is there inherent danger to the process?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_power_trans mission [wikipedia.org]

The wireless Desk

[cyclomedia (882859)]

I've muttered about this before, what i'd like is a desk that was just a simple large flat inductive surface (with a nice layer of veneer on top). It could handle communication between devices (instead of insecurely and noisily shouting all your data over bluetooth et-al) and power/charge any reasonably small compatible device placed on it (laptops and monitors might be too beefy). digital cameras and ipods could just have a contact plate on one or more surfaces (the bottom of the camera, the back of the ipod) and would just show up a-la USB in your taskbar when you plonk them on the same desk as your PC. you could register your keyboard to your PC but the mouse might need some backup power onboard for when you're thrashing it about. Desks could be wired together to create workgroups in office spaces, that way everyone would be able to use the printer and scanner on the end table as if it were a native device, though they'd need to be queueable and lockable depending on who was using them, but you could still lock-out other people from messing with the digital camera that's on your desk.

basically expand the computer to include your entire desk, without all the annoying wires

A low power standard is what we need

[hey (83763)]

We need a low power standard (maybe its USB). So can all have many nice small plugs on the edge of our desks to plugin phones, PDAs, etc.

Induction and hard drives

[DrLex (811382)]

So then you have a 90Watt electromagnet on your desk. Has anyone wondered yet what will happen to hard disks/microdrives inside laptops and MP3 players?

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[AJWM (19027)]

Probably not much. Hard drives have builtin magnets of their own, after all.

This caught my interest the other day; I got several gizmos (shake-to-charge flashlight and a "Magnetix" construction kit toy) that contain pretty powerful magnets. My office still has a lot of old magnetic media around -- floppy disks, cassette tapes -- so I had to pay attention to where I put them, but it occurs to me that those are both pretty obsolete media, being replaced by optical or semiconductor (ie flash) memory. I foun

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[DrLex (811382)]

My experience with floppies and cassettes is that it's pretty easy to make them completely unusable with a magnet to the point where they can't be re-formatted or re-recorded. Then again, the magnet I used was a pretty strong U-shaped one, and I didn't just put it 'in the vicinity' of the media, if you know what I mean ;)
Anyhow, we're talking about static magnetic fields here. A wireless power system needs to use an oscilating field, which is a different story. For the rotating platters of a HD, the static

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[DrLex (811382)]

The fact that you're posting this as an AC and the impressive list of references really make me want to believe you. Maybe you've accidentally clicked the AC button while trying to paste a link to http://www.usenix.org/publications/library/procee d ings/sec96/full_papers/gutmann/ [usenix.org]
That paper talks about securely destroying data. There's a rather big difference between destroying every single bit on a hard disk in a way that it's impossible to recover, and causing a few tiny errors which force the user to run

Question

[MobileTatsu-NJG (946591)]

I have a silly question that'll no doubt expose my ignorance on the matter. With this sort of power, is there a lot of electricity wasted? In other words, would my electric bill go up for the same amount of charging?

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[DrLex (811382)]

This question is not as silly as you think. Considering efficiency, nothing can beat a direct wired connection, but the question is how much losses this wireless method will induce (no pun intended). Assuming that the cable is well-dimensioned, a simple wired mains adaptor has only one point where losses occur, being the adaptor circuitry itself (there may be some additional regulation in the device itself, but this could be seen as part of the adaptor). A wireless system like this has 4 places where losses

Solar panel technology

[The_Pariah (991496)]

I wonder how the basic idea of solar power panels could work. For example, calculators, etc are powered wireless/touchless. Seems like this could be a possibility, although probably inefficient.

Your device could have some sort of solar panel on each side, and the charging pad/emitter could be an intense / invisible spectrum of light to charge. Ideas? Thoughts?

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[b0s0z0ku (752509)]

Your device could have some sort of solar panel on each side, and the charging pad/emitter could be an intense / invisible spectrum of light to charge.

Invisible light is either infrared (heat radiation) or it's UV (kills the eyes and skin in the truly invisible spectrum, plus I don't think good UV solar cells exist). But the source could just be a normal desk lamp. Probably not strong enough to charge a laptop, but it may work for things like cell phones, iPods, and calculators with more efficient solar

Great idea

[kahrytan (913147)]

  This type of device would go great for airlines and trays. One can use portable devices longer and recharge when needed right there on the plane.

Funny how time changes a joke's meaning

[A_Non_Moose (413034)]

I recall some fellow techs were working with building planning (.edu) to try
and get a conference room wired for power/networks.

Well, the specs were there, but ignored and the floor was poured and set, only
no power, no network.

We were livid (ok, I was amused...this is still a .edu, after all).

One of the higher ups grilled the front man about the situation and wireless networks
were just getting usable, and it was decided that was the best option.

Then he had to ask "What about wireless power?"

Ever the diplomat, the front man gave a good answer of "no can do" and maintained composure.

Only after he left, I piped up "Sure you can have wirelss power....It's called LIGHTNING!"

The whole room went silent for a few seconds and then erupted in laughter.

Became a running gag for a few months, too, if we got annoyed at each other we'd do a "spell casting"
motion and shout "wireless power" a few times.

Heh.

Re:it's not wireless chumps

[milo_a_wagner (1002274)]

Anything 'not using wires' to connect the devices/power sources/network/whatever is 'wireless'. You're using a stipulative definition of wireless, I think. Not sure.

What do others think?

Wiki: The term wireless is normally used to refer to any type of electrical or electronic operation which is accomplished without the use of a "hard wired" connection.

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[milo_a_wagner (1002274)]

I stand corrected!

The term "wireless" should not be confused with the term "cordless"

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[cheesybagel (670288)]

IMO it is wireless. I just do not see what is the point. I could see a point in having a wireless mouse or keyboard which is being continuously powered at a distance for example. Using it for merely recharging does not make much sense to me. I mean, it will waste more energy than using a cable.

Re:it's not wireless chumps

[animaal (183055)]

when you have to connect it to something, it's not wireless. quit wasting my time.

Wifi is termed "wireless" - even though your 802.11-enabled router is plugged into the wall, and is probably externally connected via an ethernet cable. Your reply might be "Yes, but I can receive a signal on my laptop without the laptop requiring a cable". Well, the same applies here. Your phone can charge without needing a cable plugged into it.

wireless phones

[246o1 (914193)]

In the case of 'wireless' phones, I doubt many people have ever considered the 'wireless' to actually refer to the method of charging in a cradle. I would go so far as to say that no one will be impressed by the weak definition of 'wireless' used here, since it could also refer to something like a charging phone or a battery in a bannery charger, since no wire goes into the actual devices being charged.

Induction power is not new, so the 'gets a boost' is surprisingly accurate (in that it doesn't promise so

Re:wireless phones

[Amouth (879122)]

"blow people's minds."

is that in the make people amazed of new tech way or the hey ya'll watch this, with a tesla coil in the garage way?

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[jimstapleton (999106)]

while technically it is wired, I do agree with the sentement. If it still requires one or more physical connections between the object and the outlet, with no non-physical connections it's annoying. I wouldn't mind if it reduced the wires, I'd rather remove them completely.

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[jacobw (975909)]

While technically this product is wireless (since it doesn't involve wires), my initial instinct was that it was no more useful than wires (since you still have to make a physicial connection.)

But then I read TFA.

The idea, said T.C. Wingrove, Visteon's senior manager of innovation, is to have a "hot spot" in the car where you set down your phone or iPod and never have to worry about different types of power cords or outlets.

That actually does sound useful.

Re:it's not wireless chumps

[binaryspiral (784263)]

Cheesy Induction ploy, if you have to place it on or in the proximity of a device
you may as well have wires.

Induction is a good thing, maybe a bit cheesy at its inception - but wait until it matures. I had a watch that was charged using induction, it allowed it to recharge without having a connection or contacts exposed.

If this technology improves, it could become very useful.

For example, power induction systems below road surfaces for hybrid and electric vehicles. Cell phone holders in cars that charge without any contacts to become tarnished or bent.

I don't see it replacing all hardwired or contact based connections, but it would be a welcomed addition to many devices that are designed for severe duty.

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[b0s0z0ku (752509)]

I had a watch that was charged using induction, it allowed it to recharge without having a connection or contacts exposed.

I have a mechanical watch that's "charged" using a pendulum that moves when I move my arm and winds the mainspring. Perhaps such a system could be adapted to things like iPods that often get used on a person of in a vehicle.

-b.

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[Lumpy (12016)]

Improves???

I had a "charge mat" back in 1992. It was my college Final Project for my electronics engineering degree.

I had a mat that you simply threw your newton, cellphone and other objects on and they charged. I build the inductive coils and circuits that fit in the devices to be charged.

Their idea is not new, and neither was mine. I based my project on research from Tesla and others.

My problem is that the morons at the Patent office will give these idiots a patent on something that is not special in an

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[binaryspiral (784263)]

I would guess it's directly related to the size of the induction coils, energy used, and the pickup coils in the brush itself.

If it has a large battery (doubt it) or is designed poorly so that much of the energy is wasted (more likely) it will pickup very little energy.

Depending on the model - it could also be losing energy sitting idle, especially if it has a fancy lcd display or whatnot.

Electric toothbrushes

[p3d0 (42270)]

Induction is easier to make waterproof than metal wires.

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[Zerth (26112)]

Those shakeable flashlights need some form of energy storage, otherwise they'd only work while you were actively shaking them.

However, some of the cheaper ones don't actually use induction, they just have an unconnected coil of wires and a battery. I know a merchant who had to return a whole crate of them after I noticed the coil didn't seem to connect with anything and after dissecting it found that it didn't, and the slug wasn't even metal.

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[Orange Crush (934731)]

we just got a bunch of those induction flashlights at work that are supposed to charge themselves when you shake them... for "safety". Naturally, we disected them the same day we got them, only to find that they are powered by two Lithium batteries.

Same concept, different application. Those flashlights contain a linear generator. Shaking them charges the batteries by essentially shaking a magnet back and forth past some coiled wire. Inductive chargers contain two coils--one inside the charger and one

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[Amouth (879122)]

i boguht a few and played with them.. mine used the shaking to charge a capasitor - it worked quite well.. using a battery sounds like cheating and that it more than likly was a cheep knockoff

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[tcgroat (666085)]

That's a good point, and one that is likely to make these devices a market failure. They will have a hard time meeting the EPA's charger efficiency standards [energystar.gov]. Manufacturers are working hard to meet these levels without the additional loss in the split transformer. Failing to meet these "voluntary" standard locks you out of federal contracts, and the general market in places where efficiency standards are mandatory (California).

But this is the Era of Wall-Warts

[ratboy666 (104074)]

I am counting.... 5 wall-warts, 11 plugs, and one "in-line" wart-on-the-floor. And a UPS on the floor (only two plugs, no warts). Three power bars, and two separate wall outlets.

And that's just in my office space.

I am sick of this (unsightly) rigging. Yes, I will tolerate a higher power bill to eliminate it.

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[b0s0z0ku (752509)]

I am sick of this (unsightly) rigging. Yes, I will tolerate a higher power bill to eliminate it.

What about standardizing low-voltage electronics at 5V and 12V input voltages whenever possible? Then you could have a big switcher power supply with, say, a dozen outputs to power everything on your desk.

-b.

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[DrSkwid (118965)]

where does the other 60% go when your device is 40% efficient ?

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[b0s0z0ku (752509)]

Waste heat energy, like pretty much all inefficiencies.

That's the interesting part - the heat is only "wasted" outside of the heating season. During the heating season, it just contributes to home heating energy and reduces your heating tab, slightly. So, depending on your climate, only 30-40% of the energy may go to waste, not the full 60%.

-b.

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[DrLex (811382)]

I guess the field will be of a quite low frequency, and AFAIK, it has been proven that low-frequency magnetic fields are harmless.
Next to my concerns about magnetic media (see post below [slashdot.org]), I have more concerns about the power consumption when there are no devices on the charge pad. My guess is that there will be an inevitable amount of idle power consumption, because there's no such thing as a zero-impedance coil (yet). Of course this could be fixed by turning off the pad when it doesn't detect any devices

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[DigitalRaptor (815681)]

Microwaves are a reality, and we use them to cook our food all the time.

If there is enough omni-directional microwave power in the air to power devices, there is plenty to effect our bodies. Not sure of the extent of that effect, though.

I've heard stories of workers back in the day standing in front of some big microwave antennas on a mountain near here to keep warm, and using it to cook hot dogs on a stick. I'm not sure as to the validity of the stories, or why they wouldn't make the connection between t

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[DrLex (811382)]

I have invented something which contains all kinds of polluting toxic chemicals, is empty at the most inconvenient times, takes quite a lot of time to recharge, has a proprietary form factor for many devices, hence is often expensive or hard to replace. I call them batteries too, what a coincidence! :p

I wouldn't hate batteries so much if each new gadget wouldn't be using its own proprietary battery with corresponding proprietary charger, or built-in battery which is nearly impossible to replace. I know AA

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[Overzeetop (214511)]

Oh, no, this is perfectly safe. Well, mostly safe. You see, by talking on your cell phone and sitting right next to your wireless laptop while using your bluetooth keyboard and mouse, the incremental exposure of these charging systems will change your liklihood of getting radiation induced cancers from 1.00 to 1.00. As they say - don't sweat the small stuff!

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[cweber (34166)]

I thought the same initially. But consider a world where one of these wireless charging technologies becomes a widely used standard. Good-bye gadgets, hello universal recharging! It's all about standards, simple ones if possible. Wireless just adds another convenience factor.

Now if we could also standardize wall outlets worldwide...