While wireless charging for electric cars is still under development, science is already thinking about the next step: infrared energy transfer over longer distances. We tell you the latest find.
For the moment, the short distance wireless charging It is widely available for small devices, which are placed on a base and start charging without the need for cables.
In the automotive world, however, this technology is still a long way from being established in the market, although prestigious companies such as Siemens are strongly committed to wireless charging.
In that line goes the scientists team research formed by Nadeem Javed, Ngoc-Luu Nguyen, Syed Farhan Ali Naqvi and Jinyong Ha, who have published their latest findings in Optics Express magazine.
Transmit power 30 meters away
Specifically, these scientists have shown that it is possible to transmit energy wirelessly and safely through the air at distances of more than 30 meters, something unprecedented until now.
In the aforementioned scientific article, the researchers describe their new system, which uses infrared light to safely transfer high levels of energy. In it they confirm that, during the laboratory tests carried out, they were capable of transferring 400 mW (milliwatts) of power light at distances of up to 30 meters away.
This power is very low, as it is equivalent to only 0.4 W (watts), but the researchers say that it is enough to charge sensors and, with further development, it could be increased to the levels necessary to charge mobile devices.
“The ability to power devices wirelessly could eliminate the need to carry power cords for our phones or tablets.. It could also power various sensors, such as those in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors used to monitor processes in manufacturing plants,” said Jinyong Ha of Sejong University, South Korea.
Long range wireless charging
The technology is still in its infancy and will take several years to develop, but if it evolves it could make it possible for electronic devices to charge automatically on the streets, in airports or in many other places.
As for the electric vehiclesthe aspiration to charge them while they are on the move using this technology is still a pipe dream as a result of the need for a power that is currently unattainable for infrared charging.
At the moment, the researchers continue to work on optimizing their method, called distributed laser chargewhich also provides safe high-power lighting with less light loss.
“While most existing methods require the receiving device to be in a special charging cradle or to be stationary, distributed laser loading allows for self-alignment without tracking processes as long as the transmitter and receiver are in each other’s line of sight»expands Jinyong Ha.
“It also automatically switches to a safe low-power delivery mode if an object or person blocks the line of sight,” he concludes.
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