Politics & Cultural Influences
The mid-field wireless power transmission is a new technology. Like with
most technologies, there are always some interference by public policy and law.
Don’t get me wrong, public policy is needed to maintain and regulate the
technologies. Can you imagine how chaotic the world will be without laws? I can
and I don’t like what I saw. But should politics influence the development and
research of the technology?
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| (Nikola Tesla, Image taken from Wikipedia.org) |
Nikola Tesla, as
mentioned in the previous post, was a prime example of how politics can
intersect with his research. In 1900, Tesla was in the process of developing
and realizing wireless power transmission. His project, Wardenclyffe Tower,
would have provided free electricity to thousands of people (Click HERE to learn more about this project). But, politics came
swooping in and put a halt to Tesla’s work. Why you might ask? Well you can
blame or thank J.P. Morgan for depriving us of the WPT technology for a
century. Morgan cut off funds for Tesla’s project and as a result the United
States government destroyed the tower. Therefore funding is probably the
biggest political issue for engineers and scientists. Engineers can’t develop
or research new innovations if they don’t have funds. Don’t you find it
frustrating when you know something is good for society, but it won’t be
commercialized because it’s not profitable? If only Morgan and the U.S.
government knew back then, that WPT technology could become an $8.5 billion
industry, then our electricity will have no bounds.
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| (Image taken from spaceforspecies.ca) |
Another issue is
trying to find a common standard.
Whenever there are too much of something, things can start to be
chaotic. So we have to find a universal standard. Think about all the
electronic devices in the world and all of the manufacturers that produce them.
You can probably name at least ten already. Imagine trying to unify all of
those devices and manufacturers to follow one certain standard. You might think it’s impossible, but this
process is already happening. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is
already working to define a universal standard for wireless power products (Wireless Power, 2012). Engineers
are mainly responsible for developing the technology; it’s the role of the
government to regulate the technology. Every country has its standard for
electricity, and the wireless power transmission will have to assimilate into
each one. It’s no easy task, which is why this technology still hasn’t been
released to the public yet. Are you feeling excited and eager to experience
this technology?
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| (Image taken from Google.com) |
Why the rise in the
popularity of this technology? The WPT is a cultural phenomenon and all the
electronic industries know it. As mentioned in the previous post, this
technology has a wide range of applications, which means many industries can
utilize it. Since most of the electronic industry giants want a piece of the
pie, more funding is provided. There is even an organization solely dedicated
for expanding wireless charging, known as The Alliance for Wireless Power
(A4WP). The A4WP has influenced "consumer electronics, mobile services, wireless
technology, automotive, software and other industries" to adopt the WPT (About A4WP, 2014). With
all of these influences, it’s no wonder why more and more industries are
joining the bandwagon for this technology. Do you feel like joining the
bandwagon as well? You might have to in the next few years because wireless
power transmission technology is coming. Politics shouldn’t have a role in the
research and development of technologies, but should have a role in the
regulation and maintenance of the technology.
Want to learn more about The Alliance for Wireless Powering, then click HERE
Want to see which company is leading the charge for WPT, then click HERE
References
About A4WP. (2014, June 20). Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP).
Retrieved June 22, 2014, from http://www.rezence.com/alliance/about-a4wp
Wireless Power. (2012, May 12). - CEA. Retrieved June 22, 2014,
from
http://www.ce.org/Consumer-Info/Wireless-Computing/Got-It/Digital-Tips-First-Look-Wireless-Power.aspx
Young, J. (2009, December 10). Weird & Wireless: What about wireless
power transmission?. Electro Ramblings. Retrieved June 22, 2014, from http://www.electronicsweekly.com/electro-ramblings/weird-wireless/weird-wireless-what-about-wireless-power-transmission-2009-12/
David
ReplyDeleteYour blog is really informative and interesting. I like that you asked questions throughout your blog because it makes the reader think of what you asked. I agree with you that politics should not have a role in the research and development of technologies because they are two different domains. A politician should not have a say in a science related topic unless they have background information, otherwise it is just their opinion versus the hard core facts of science. As for the universal standard it will be hard because many countries have different outlets, voltage powers, etc. It will take a few good years for every country to cooperate and come to an agreement. Also as soon as I read Nikola Tesla's name I immediately thought of the electric car Tesla. I than looked it up on Wikipedia to get "Tesla Motors is named after electrical engineer and physicist Nikola Tesla. The Tesla Roadster uses an AC motor descended directly from Tesla's original 1882 design". Which I thought was very neat since the car is very efficient, luxurious, and earth friendly.
Overall great post I now know something I did not before! Great explanatory blog post!
Hey David,
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blogs and your topic, especially this blog, is a complex and challenging topic. I know from personal experience that politics do affect funding. For example, in my high school they installed solar panels across the whole roof. It wasn't an easy task because in Puerto Rico everything is based on politics. So to receive at least half of the money we had to play the political game and luckily my high school received almost 75% of the money and the solar panel project was completed.
I also find it frustrating that once a project is completed sometimes the community doesn't appreciate the effort and benefits that they will receive from this project.
Anyway I have learned so much from your blogs. Great job. I wish you good luck in your future endeavors and hopefully will see each other again.
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteI can see very strong and informative concept with the relationship between technology and politics from your post. As I am an engineering student, I totally agree with the behavior of industrial society that you mentioned because the basic principal of our society, which always focus on the profit. Also I understand both governments' and companies' point of view since their goal is not losing the money. It has been complicated issue from long time ago since capitalism started, but I think that we need to fund with the risk sometimes for new inventions and adventures.
David,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that politics shouldn’t interfere with how scientists carry out their research but should have a role in the regulation of patient inventions.
Unfortunately, the government has a lot of say in how research is done, mainly by their power to control funds. I can sense hatred from you toward the government for impeding the invention of wireless power transmission by Tesla! I would be mad too. However, we have to think about where the money has gone if it was not devoted to Tesla's research. It's a tough job to allocate funds between the numerical research proposals out there. Nonetheless, I hope that we can have wireless charging soon!
I do think one of the scariest things for the evolution of technology is the fact that if something isn't profitable, it isn't likely to come out. One of the things I've seen brought up is “If there were a universal cure to all diseases, do you ever thing drug companies would let you know?” The business of selling medication is way too big and if there were a way to topple it entirely, that just couldn't stand, so to speak. In this way, I really share your indignation that JP Morgan shut down Tesla's operation. It's not about what's best for the world; it's about what's best for the person with the money, and that's terrifying.
ReplyDelete