Jul 27, 2009
Wireless Electricity Around the Bend
From Thomas Edison, Nikolas Tesla and many, many others, scientists have been struggling to develop an electrical system that would work without wires.
In 18 montths Witricity, A Massachusetts company says it will be able to sell this sought after wireless electrical system to the general public. Based on the work of MIT physicist Marin Soljacic, the company made the announcement at the TEDGlobal conference that ended Friday in Oxford in the U.K.
The company showed a transmitting unit, placed in a wall, powering a television set several feet away. CEO Eric Giler also showed how the system could wirelessly charge a G1 Android cellphone equipped with an antenna within the phone case itself without any outside modification. The iPhone was part of the demonstration but due to the Iphone design the antennea had to be external.
The system works on resonant magnetic coupling and is safe for humans. It could not only eliminate power cords but also tons of batteries used yearly to power household devices so this is also important for environmental needs and fits right in with the growing ‘green’ movement.
WiTricity showed a version of the technology in January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
While 18 months may just be around the corner the company does have some notable competition such as Intel.