Engineers at Disney Research have created a method for charging wireless devices that doesn’t require any attachments or extraneous equipment. Researchers have dubbed the technology ‘quasistatic cavity resonance,’ and believe it is the next phase in wireless charging technology.
Of course, this isn’t the first time someone’s invented a way to charge wireless devices without having to plug into an actual charger; but Disney Research’s invention has some unique aspects. Specific structures (such as cabinets or even rooms) will be designed for charging purposes.
Engineers will use a magnetic resonator coil to create a field in the structure that charges wireless devices. The middle of the room will have a copper pipe that transmits the electrical energy. Small coil receivers in the room received energy with anywhere from 45% to 95% accuracy; in effect, they were charged simply by being present in the experimental room.
Admittedly, the experimental room doesn’t sound like the happiest place on Earth: the walls are made of painted aluminum sheet metal, and the only point of interest is the aforementioned copper pipe. But Disney Research is confident that with further experimentation these stations could be set up throughout Disney World and Disneyland, creating places where tourists could charge their devices by walking around.
The main focus now is reducing the amount of aluminum needed without compromising the effectiveness of the charging (and of course, maintaining a high degree of safety). But eventually, visitors to Disney World could charge their phones while wandering through the amusements offered at the theme park. Now that’s the sort of magic even scientists can get behind.
