In the world of technology, how life-altering will this be?

Question

Intel Cuts Electric Cords With Wireless Power System

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.

The technology could also be built into plugged in computer components, such as monitors, to enable them to broadcast power to devices left on desks or carried into rooms, according to Smith.

"Initially it eliminates chargers and eventually it eliminates batteries all together," analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group said of Intel's wireless power system.

"That is potentially a world changing event. This is the closest we've had to something being commercially available in this class."

Previous wireless power systems consisted basically of firing lightning bolts from sending to receiving units.

Smith says Intel's wireless power system is still in an early stage of development and much research remains before it can be brought to market.

Rattner spoke of technological transformations he expects by the year 2050.

"You'd like to cut the last cord," Smith said.

"It's great that we have wireless email and wireless internet and stuff like that but at the end of the day it would be nice to have wireless recharge as well."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080821/ts_alt_afp/usitinternetenergychipcompanyintel;_ylt=AvD1efTh2WrPq.SBJmTjksMDW7oF

Answer 1

If Intel are betting on it I guess it will get a big push.

Still I suspect the blanket statement that magnetic field don't affect humans might come under some scrutiny.

Also you use similar often.  When you use your proximity security card to get in the door: its being powered by magnetic field.  There are lots of induction devices out there.

Magnetic without electrical likely does not propagate well: you will have trouble getting distance.

If Intel are going to push this for laptops & such, maybe you are going to have to wind coils under the coffee table or floor?

Might get some strange effects on any unintentional conducting loops?

Think I'll pass living in a high magnetic field for now.

Answer 2

Wireless extension cords are already on the market. If you can't pick one up at K-mart, try here:-

http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/wec.sh...

Answer 3

It's woefully inefficient.

(Notice they didn't give you any figures on that).

Answer 4

I was at a water industry trade show and a vendor demonstrated a microwave power coupling for submerged ultraviolet light bulbs used instead of chlorine Gas for disinfection.It leaves no chemical residues that could kill fish or chlorine by products that could harm unborn children(Chlorine Gas displaces the oxygen in the mother's blood,suffocating the baby or causing brain damage.)It also does not harm the environment as it is artificial sunlight.A man named Tesla experimented with the idea in the 1880's.His experiments were used in the making of the "Frankenstein" movies of the 1930's.With the sparks jumping from electrode to electrode.It was deemed too dangerous,at the same time that bare wires were run across the ceiling in 1890;If you opened an umbrella in the house and it touched--POOF!No more umbrella.The vendor put a florescent tube in the microwave and turned on the oven,lighting up the tube.

Answer 5

Didn't Nikola Tesla invent something that transmitted electricity wire lessly? I also think he had some kind kind of Idea to have the whole world powered by wireless electricity but he never had the enough of a budget to get his project of the drawing board. I cant remember clearly since it was a while ago since I read about him. Just throwing that out there.