Over 100 years ago, Nikola Telsa planned for a system that would offer wireless electricity, but many researchers have struggled with the losses from transferring power over long distances. A group of MIT researchers are working to make Telsa’s vision of a system that offers wireless electricity a reality.
This new technology, WiTricity, is being licensed to manufacturers to be available for use with mobile devices, electric vehicles and in other applications. Currently, this technology can charge devices from a distance of 6 to 12 inches with close to 95 percent efficiency; 12 watts for mobile devices and 6.6 kilowatts for electric vehicles. The team is currently working to increase the distance, scale and efficiency of this technology with continuing research and development. The advantages of a “wire-free” world could lead to smaller batteries and less hardware, ultimately reducing costs to produce a product and a lower cost product to the consumer.
Read more about how WiTricity technology is making wireless electricity a reality.
