Wireless power transfer: are we finally saying goodbye to cables?

I recently stumbled upon an article about the latest advancements in wireless power transfer, and it's got me intrigued. Are we really approaching a world without wires?

Some questions I have:

1. How efficient are current wireless power transfer technologies?

2. What are the main obstacles remaining for widespread adoption?

3. Are there any safety concerns we should be worried about?

4. Which devices do you think will be the first to go fully wireless in terms of power?

Share your thoughts and knowledge. Are we really on the brink of an energy revolution, or is this still a distant future?

zem July 7, 2024, 4:23 p.m.

I work with near-field NFC technology. It's already quite efficient for low-power devices, but for anything more power-hungry, we still have a long way to go.

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zorg2012dg July 7, 2024, 11:43 p.m.

What about long-range wireless power transfer? I've heard some companies are experimenting with using directed radio waves. Sounds promising but a bit scary from a safety perspective.

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dfccz July 8, 2024, 11:14 a.m.

Don't worry, these systems are being developed with all safety norms in mind. They automatically shut off if anything (or anyone) obstructs the beam. Still, it'll be a while before we see this in our homes.

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rodi July 8, 2024, 6:33 p.m.

I think we'll see wireless charging pads become ubiquitous before any long-range solutions. Imagine every desk and table being able to charge your devices!

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lnv July 9, 2024, 2:11 p.m.

The efficiency is improving, but it's still not great. Last I checked, even the best wireless chargers waste about 30% more energy than wired charging. That's a big concern for widespread adoption.

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Maxx July 10, 2024, 9:16 p.m.

For those interested in the technical details, IEEE has a great paper on recent advancements in wireless power transfer. It covers everything from inductive coupling to resonant beam charging. Pretty heavy read, but fascinating stuff!

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spokl July 11, 2024, 12:33 p.m.

Am I the only one worried about the potential health effects of being surrounded by all these electromagnetic fields? I know they say it's safe, but so did they about many other things in the past...

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YK July 11, 2024, 10:27 p.m.

I get your concern, but let's not fall into conspiracy theories. These technologies undergo rigorous testing. That said, I agree we should keep a close eye on long-term studies.

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usay July 13, 2024, 5:55 p.m.

I think the first fully wireless devices will be smart home gadgets. Imagine never having to change batteries in your smoke detectors or security cameras!

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