The wireless charging technology is taking the world by storm. However, the device needs to be in the proximity of the charger to ensure that it is charged. This trend will change soon as new technology has been proposed by the researchers at the Duke University that uses an LCD-like panel to charge multiple devices as far as 10 meters.
The present wireless charging technology employs induction system. The wireless charging panel consists of a coil of wire which generates a magnetic field as the current flows through it. The magnetic field induces current in the coil embedded in the object. Since the magnetic field strength drops off quickly as you move away from the charger, the object needs to be placed close to it.
David Smith, the professor at the Duke University, said that with this latest technology, the dead batteries belong in the past:
“Our proposed system would be able to automatically and continuously charge any device anywhere within a room, making dead batteries a thing of the past.”
The system uses higher microwave frequencies to enhance the range of the wireless charger. The waves will be targeted towards a device in the room by channelling them through a flat panel resembling an LCD. The LCD-like panel will be made up of metamaterials already being used by the Toyota motors to communicate with the satellites using a flat antenna on the car roof.
Each cell of the metamaterial could manipulate the EM waves to focus the energy beam on an object as small as a smartphone placed anywhere in a room. The proposed wireless charging system could also juice up more devices simultaneously and can work up to 10 meters.
The issues associated with this technique include the development of the electromagnetic energy source to ensure balanced power, efficiency, and cost. The metamaterial also needs to improve to reduce the probability of secondary ghost signals. Smith, however, believes that these issues are not insurmountable.
“All of these issues are possible to overcome — they aren’t roadblocks. We actually came up with some nice analytical formulas for coverage areas and efficiencies that would be possible. I think building a system like this, which could be embedded in the ceiling and wirelessly charge everything in a room, is a very feasible scheme. Moreover, there are versions of the concept that can deliver larger power over much larger distances.”
The research team has published their findings on arXiv.