Intel Demonstrates New Wireless Electric Power System

Joseph Lopez

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Imagine walking through the airport with your laptop and having it charged wirelessly as you move along. Although this future concept might seem far away, Intel recently demonstrated a way to safely transmit electricity through the air to power electronics. Analysts say this new technology could revolutionize modern life by allowing electronic devices to receive wireless power without any cords or wires involved.

During the annual Developer’s Forum in California, Intel associates managed to transmit a wireless electric current to a lamp on stage, lighting a 60 watt bulb that uses more power than a typical laptop computer. Above all, the transmission of electricity flowed without electrocuting or damaging anything in its path. According to Intel, 25 percent of power is lost during transmission, but further research and development could definitely decrease power loss.

“Something like this technology could be embedded in tables and work surfaces,” said Justin Rattner, Intel’s chief technology officer, “so as soon as you put down an appropriately equipped device it would immediately begin drawing power.”

So how did they do it?

"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 electric fields. So what we are doing is transmitting energy using the magnetic field not the electric field."

Potential applications for this technology are nearly limitless. Any mobile device such as laptops, cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, etc. could be charged without plugging them in to the wall. Dangerous power lines would not be needed and power outages from downed power lines would be eliminated because you could transmit power directly over the air.

Intel’s wireless power system is still in the early stages of development and much more research remains before it can be brought to market. Rattner believes that this technology will be available by 2050.

# comments about: "Intel Demonstrates New Wireless Electric Power System"

1. 11/12/2008 1:58:20 PM | Posted by: nikola tesla

tesla is rolling in his grave right now..

2. 11/10/2008 12:06:31 AM | Posted by: Mark Fulton

Also known as "WiTricity" This was done awhile back by MIT researchers at a distance of 7 meters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witricity

3. 11/6/2008 12:50:52 PM | Posted by: Yan

I always asked ppl that it would be a neat idea and that it someday would become reality to transmit electricity wireless. and evryone always said it's impossible. this just shows that it's wrong to close the door on something just because we believe that it's impossible. and the same thing goes for traveling at the speed of light. I don't think we should declare that it's impossible to do so.

4. 11/6/2008 11:49:06 AM | Posted by: Andrew

That's pretty cool, but Nikola Tesla did it a bit earlier...

5. 11/5/2008 5:45:46 PM | Posted by: Trevor

This technology has been around as long as electricity has been harnessed. Look up the story of Tesla vs. Edison. Tesla's plan was to cover the country, and eventually the world, in giant power transmitting towers that could supply everyone constantly. He even started to build one at his lab.

6. 11/4/2008 12:02:14 PM | Posted by: AtBatt Staff

Original Message by Uncle B: Good thing we got GPS, this might mess up a few compasses ! Can we use the earth's magnetic field to generate electricity?

Reply: Check out Nature's battery story. http://www.atbatt.com/blog/18.asp

7. 11/4/2008 11:51:28 AM | Posted by: VintagePC

Wait, what? So I put my laptop down on a big table generating a big enough magnetic field to power it? Somehow I don't think my hard drive would be too happy with that!

8. 11/4/2008 11:23:36 AM | Posted by: Uncle B

Good thing we got GPS, this might mess up a few compasses ! Can we use the earth's magnetic field to generate electricity?

9. 11/4/2008 10:10:47 AM | Posted by: Troy

If it's near radio frequency, the oscillating magnetic field will generate an electric field anyway.

10. 11/3/2008 8:23:15 PM | Posted by: Macadoo dodo

Check out Josh Smith's picture before this experiment on his website. http://www2.seattle.intel-research.net/~jrsmith/. If this new new technology will lead to increased Rogaine usage, I can definitely wait 42 more years.

11. 11/3/2008 8:18:59 PM | Posted by: Intel Lover

That is awesome news but too bad I won't be around when it launches in 2050.

Intel Demonstrates New Wireless Electric Power System

# comments about: "Intel Demonstrates New Wireless Electric Power System"

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