Current Event
It is time to break up our lengthy relationship with the beloved charging
cables and say our farewells. They are just toxic and simply not working out
anymore. Polluting the environment, heating up, easily broken and the list goes
on and on. Don’t feel scared or shed any tears for that old thing because
something better is waiting. Get ready to welcome and embrace our new
relationship with WiTricity wireless powering in 2015.
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| (Image taken from Google.com) |
Wireless powering is
expected to make its huge debut in 2015, which will impact the mobile and
electronic industries tremendously. The company that is leading the charge is
WiTricity, which is run by Alex Gruzen. Don’t
be mistaken that WiTricity is the only company involved with this growing
technology. Companies such as Canon, Dell, Sony, Samsung and many others are
all trying to get a piece of this technology. Gruzen announced that he plans to
demonstrate real progress for wireless powering in 2015. What is real progress,
you might ask? According to Sam Frizell, from Time magazine (Click HERE for the full article), in June 4 2014 he
stated that houses could be cordless, a smartphone case could instantly charge
your phone, and even future electric cars would be powered simply by parking on
a charging surface. How does that all sound? It might seem like all science
fiction to you, but the truth is this technology is coming and it has the power
to do all of those things.
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| (Image taken from Washington.edu) |
Still don’t believe
me, then let me elaborate more on how exactly does this technology work. The
wireless powering technology will be composed of two copper coils that are
coupled by magnetic waves. The power source will attach to one of the coils, often
it is referred to as the powered coil. The powered coil is responsible for
converting the energy to a higher voltage and frequency, which generates a
magnetic field. While the receiving coil, or the coil that surrounds the object
that is receiving power, is responsible for converting the magnetic field into
electrical current, hence power. This
process is known as Inductive coupling and it is the reason why wireless
powering is even possible. Unlike with most wireless powering technology in the
current market, WiTricity technology will not require physical contact at all.
You might have seen those charging pads around before, with WiTricity wireless
powering your devices could already be charged in your hand or pocket. The
technology itself is not hard, what’s complicated is trying to implement it
into society.
Want to see an actual demonstration? Then click HERE
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| (Image taken from digitaltrends.com) |
So what’s the big
deal with Alex Gruzen’s announcement about his plans for wireless powering?
According to Cut Woodward, from Xconomy, he claimed in 2014 that “WiTricity’s
technology is seen as the next-generation choice for power.” Can you imagine
never seeing electrical cables and wires ever again in the next decade? Wireless
powering will positively impact most of the industries: transportation,
electronics, mobile, housing and more. Gruzen’s announcement marks the
beginning of a technological revolution that will very soon encompass most of
the world. So are you ready for the revolution and a new relationship? Or can
you just not let go of the past and choose to remain in that long relationship?
Either way wireless powering is coming.
References
Woodward, C. (2014, June 18). New WiTricity CEO: 2015 Will Show. Xconomy
RSS. Retrieved June 21, 2014, from http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2014/06/18/new-witricity-ceo-2015-will-show-real-progress-for-wireless-power/
Frizell, S. (2014, June 4). So Long, Charging Cables: Wireless Power Is
Coming. Time. Retrieved June 21, 2014, from http://time.com/2819660/witricity-wireless-power/
Hey David,
ReplyDeleteI have just recently found the wireless charger for smartphones while I was shopping online. It was very interesting that you can just charge your phone with the external portable battery charger with no charging cable. I was not quite sure how that works, but I know that you have to stick this special pad to the battery of your phone, then it will charge your phone wirelessly. And when I read your blog about the wireless technology, it helped me understand more about how it actually works. I can't wait for it to be release into the public so we can test it out!
David
ReplyDeleteWow. That was an amazing progress by science. Even power and charging is going wireless. Wireless data devices are here and wireless communication is being polished more to reduce wires but never heard of wireless charging. This technology is telling me that time is soon when three will be TVs but there will be no power cord that destroys the beauty of your entertainment center. I have seen wireless home security devices ( Cams , Sensors, home automation) but they are wireless in term of communication but as far as power , they used replaceable batteries. I really hope there are side effects to it such electrical pollution.
David - I CAN'T WAIT! It has been a long time coming. I feel like I sound lazy when I say that power cords are unnecessary and bothersome, but life would certainly be better without them, especially for cell phones. One question, with WiTricity's technology, it sounds like you can charge many devices with a single powered coil. If that's true, then a business like Starbucks could easily provide wireless charging for everyone in their store, at the same cost as charging a single device. What do you think? -Austin
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! I can be a bit OCD about organization and there are few things that bother me more than a bunch of cable cords that can be seen hanging from the flatscreen TV or iPhone, iPad, and Macbook cords hanging around. I loved the youtube video that you incorporated in to your blog post. I found it very helpful with visualizing how this type of electricity is put into action. A few concerns that I have include, will the flow of energy affect things such as pacemakers or diabetic insulin pumps and what types of cost of materials and labor are we looking at in order to make a home have sufficient spots to source this electricity?
David,
ReplyDeleteIt will be really great having no power cords tangling and not worry about getting you phone charged with cords. It definitely will benefit people like me who always keep on loosing their cell phone chargers. I was impressed by the charging surface for cars. It will be a huge improvement we will not have to worry about rising gas prices especially in summers :) I bet this system of charging must be faster and quicker as well. I do not know however, how affordable it would be. I loved the flow of information and your style of writing it was very engaging, kept me as a reader interested in reading it and thinking what is next. I also liked watching the video it was very informative and explanatory.
Thanks for a great post.