What the tech is the MWPT?

(Image taken from batterynews.org)

                Electrical power is not a finite source and batteries are not an efficient source for power storage. Many devices, such as implanted medical devices (IMD), rely on batteries and electricity to function. Patients have to have surgery every time to replenish the power in their batteries. Imagine how much pain they feel, physically and financially. Furthermore, even simply plugging the charger of a mobile device into a power outlet is a hassle. The medical and electronic fields are restricted and as a result we humans will have to suffer the consequences. So what is the solution to this predicament? The answer is the mid-field wireless power transmission (MWPT).

                What is the mid-field wireless power transmission? Well, the MWPT is a new form of wireless power transfer.  According to Kaur (2012), “Wireless power transmission is the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without a conductive physical connection or interconnecting wires.” Basically, the MWPT is a way to recharge electrical power to a device without the need of cords, hence the wireless part.  It is known as “mid-field” because the transmission distance between the power source and the load is greater than the coil resonators’ dimensions (Hui et al., 2014). This system would allow us to charge our phones without the need of physically connecting it to a power outlet. Also, patients will not have to get surgery every time to replace a depleted battery. All the patients have to do is simply be within the range of the wireless powering. Since the MWPT is so new, there are only two guidelines that regulate this technology, the International Commission on Non-Iodizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Guidelines and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer (IEEE) Standard (Hui et al, 2014).. Imagine how much this technology could revolutionize the medical and electronics field.

                Why is understanding this topic important? Millions of people around the world depend on medical electronic devices. Thousands of people are suffering because those devices are not functioning effectively and efficiently (Wei et al., 2008). Why? It is because of batteries. Batteries are no longer a reliable and stable source simply because the increase in energy consumption and the mobility of electronic devices has made the battery an obsolete power source (Jia et al., 2009).  Our once beloved battery can no longer provide us the power we need with our current advanced technologies. Both the medical and electronics field cannot develop further technologies because the battery limits them. But, with the implementation of the mid-field wireless power transmission systems all of that would change. This technology would eliminate the numerous limitations the electronics and medical fields have. Imagine no longer requiring a battery for anything or never seeing anymore electrical wires. How about, imagine powering an electric car without any wires; all that is needed is simply a wireless connection. The MWPT will usher in a new era of power supply and generation, which will expand both the medical and electronics field.

(Image found on digitaltrends.com)

                The mid-field wireless power transmission is extremely relevant. We are already seeing people suffer and die from inefficiencies in IMDs. IMDs save lives and maybe one day we might depend on them to survive. It is important to fix this issue now because it will help save lives and improve the medical field. Everyone has some form of electrical device, which means everyone will have to recharge power for their device. Sometimes charging can be difficult or a hassle, perhaps forgetting your phone charger. Instead of driving back home to get the charger and waste time, it would automatically be charged in a wireless connection due to the MWPT (Click Here for a article on more about this idea).  This begs the question, is the mid-field wireless power transmission the next big thing society will experience?

Want to see another post about this awesome technology then click, HERE

References

Hui, S.Y.R.; Wenxing Zhong; Lee, C.K., "A Critical Review of Recent Progress in Mid-Range Wireless Power Transfer," Power Electronics, IEEE Transactions on , vol.29, no.9,   pp.4500,4511,    Sept. 2014 doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2013.2249670

Jia, D., & Liu, J. (2009). Human power-based energy harvesting strategies for mobile electronic devices. Frontiers of Energy and Power Engineering in China, 3(1), 27-46.       doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11708-009-0002-4

Wei, X., & Liu, J. (2008). Power sources and electrical recharging strategies for implantable           medical devices. Frontiers of Energy and Power Engineering in China, 2(1), 1-13. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11708-008-0016-3

Kaur, S. (2012). How is wireless power transmission going to affect our lives? IETE Technical         Review, 29(4), 259-264. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0256-4602.101305