Beatrice Lang
Wireless electricity, or power beaming, is on the horizon, and several companies are leading the way in this technology. WiTricity, for example, is a global leader in wireless charging, with patented magnetic resonance technology that is being incorporated into EV charging systems. EMROD, a New Zealand-based company, is also making strides in power-beaming technology, with a system of transmitters and receivers that can achieve 95% efficiency. Other companies such as Powercast, Wi-Charge, and GET are also developing wireless charging technologies for various applications, from low-power sensors to continuous drone charging. These advancements in wireless electricity have the potential to revolutionize the way we power our homes, vehicles, and devices, and it's an exciting space to watch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Companies behind Wi-Fi Electric | Samsung, Wi-Charge, Rezence, Texas Instruments, NXP Semiconductors, EMROD, Energous, WiTricity, and several Wi-Fi Alliance members |
| Wireless Power Transmission Methods | Inductive coupling, resonant inductive coupling, and microwave or radio frequency transmission |
| Applications | Wireless charging of smartphones and other small devices, long-range wireless power transmission, wireless charging of electric vehicles, and more |
| Benefits | Convenience, enhanced user experience, flexibility, and mobility |
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What You'll Learn
- EMROD is developing microwave-based wireless power transmission technology
- Wi-Charge provides long-range wireless power technology
- Samsung is a leader in wireless power transmission innovation
- WiTricity builds wireless EV charging systems
- Nanocrystal electricity companies are working on wireless electricity
EMROD is developing microwave-based wireless power transmission technology
EMROD, a New Zealand-based startup founded in 2019, is at the forefront of developing microwave-based wireless power transmission technology. The company's innovative approach uses microwave energy to transmit electricity over long line-of-sight distances in a focused, safe, and invisible beam. This technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we access renewable energy and power remote locations.
EMROD's wireless power transmission system consists of two main hardware components: a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna. These antennas are square-shaped arrays of slotted waveguide antenna tiles that can radiate electromagnetic energy. The antennas are designed to be covered by microwave-transparent enclosures, protecting them from environmental damage. This design ensures the safe and efficient transfer of energy over vast distances.
The company's technology offers a promising solution to the challenges posed by the energy transition, such as the need to transmit power from remote renewable sources to populated areas. EMROD's beam-shaping technology minimises energy loss during transmission, ensuring that large amounts of power can be transmitted over long distances without the need for cables. This not only reduces logistical complexities but also enhances the viability of renewable energy sources.
EMROD's short-term goals are focused on transmitting power wirelessly on Earth via relay towers. The company is in discussions to provide wireless energy transmission in the Amazon rainforest, replacing diesel generators currently in use. Additionally, EMROD plans to pilot a scheme in the Middle East to deliver wireless power to a remote community. The company is also in talks with the government of Singapore to wirelessly power a fleet of electrified tugboats, showcasing the versatility and potential impact of their technology.
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Wi-Charge provides long-range wireless power technology
Wi-Charge is an Israeli company that develops technology and products for far-field wireless power transfer using focused infrared beams. The company was founded in 2012 by Victor Vaisleib, Ori Mor, and Ortal Alpert. Wi-Charge's technology is based on infrared laser beams that charge small electronic devices from a distance of 30+ ft. The system consists of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter connects to a standard power outlet and converts electricity into an infrared laser beam, while the receiver uses a miniature photo-voltaic cell to convert transmitted light into electrical power.
Wi-Charge's technology is designed to be environmentally sustainable, with each wireless transmitter eliminating approximately 5,000 batteries. The company claims that its technology is safe, complying with the IEC 60825-1 International Safety Standard (laser safety) and earning UL safety approval in April 2019. Wi-Charge also asserts that using infrared light for long-range wireless power has advantages over using radio frequency or ultrasound due to physics.
Wi-Charge's technology has been recognised for its innovation, including being a gold winner at the 2020 Edison Awards, receiving the 2021 European Innovation Council Fund, and being a CES honoree for five years. The company is collaborating with hansgrohe on their smart faucet and plans to offer its technology as a standard in locks, video advertising displays, and smart home devices.
While Wi-Charge is not the only company offering distance wireless charging, with competitors like Ossia's Cota and Energous' WattUp using radio frequency charging, it stands out by quoting power, cost, and safety as key advantages of using infrared light. Wi-Charge's technology enables continuous wireless power delivery, providing edge devices with 100X more available power than batteries and allowing them to offer new, elevated features.
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Samsung is a leader in wireless power transmission innovation
One notable example of Samsung's leadership in this field is its work in RF Wireless Power Transmission. Samsung's Strategy and Innovation Center is focused on creating inductive-based technologies that eliminate the need for wires and the frustration of periodic plugging into power outlets. This technology promises to revolutionise how consumers and industries charge their electronic devices, offering both at-contact and over-the-air wireless charging.
Samsung's expertise in advanced semiconductor technology further solidifies its position as a leader in wireless power transmission. At its annual Tech Day, Samsung showcased its latest innovations, including the Exynos 990 premium mobile processor, the 5G-enabled Exynos Modem 5123, and its third-generation 10nm-class 1z-nm DRAM. The company also proposed new business possibilities with its 7th-generation V-NAND and next-generation PCIe Gen5 SSDs, paving the way for future server and storage applications.
Additionally, Samsung is actively shaping the future of wireless power transmission by collaborating with industry leaders and fostering open innovation. By inviting experts like Cesar Johnston, COO and EVP of Engineering at Energous, Samsung provides a platform for visionaries to share their insights and drive the development of emerging wireless power technologies, systems, and markets.
The wireless power transmission market is projected to experience significant growth, with a CAGR of 21.80% from 2024 to 2031. Samsung's ongoing dedication to research and development, coupled with its innovative technologies, positions the company as a key driver and leader in this rapidly evolving industry.
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WiTricity builds wireless EV charging systems
WiTricity is a company that has been leading the charge in wireless power innovation for over 15 years. The company has developed and deployed its wireless EV charging technology with major global OEMs and is now on its fifth generation of solutions. WiTricity's wireless charging systems are end-to-end and meet the challenging needs of the automotive industry. The systems are designed, built, and manufactured by WiTricity to meet the demanding needs of the automotive ecosystem.
WiTricity's wireless charging systems require a vehicle-mounted receiver and a surface-mounted transmitter. The receiver in the vehicle captures the energy from the magnetic field produced by the charger and converts the energy to direct current for charging its battery. WiTricity can build customized receivers to seamlessly integrate into virtually any passenger or light-duty EV. The flush-mounted charger is engineered to comply with industry standards and its power electronics and resonant matching network supply high-frequency current to create a magnetic field that efficiently transfers energy to the receiver.
WiTricity's wireless charging systems offer a fully automated, hands-free charging experience for electric vehicles. Once a WiTricity-powered EV is parked in an equipped spot, charging begins immediately, eliminating the need to remember to plug in the vehicle. The absence of bulky cables also creates a clean, clutter-free, and safer charging area. WiTricity's technology supports vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration and is essential for truly autonomous EV operations.
WiTricity's wireless charging systems are cloud-connected and offer web-based services through Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or LTE modem. The company provides a user-friendly mobile app for drivers and a hosted asset and performance monitoring portal for fleet operators. WiTricity's wireless charging technology has been field-tested and proven to be safe and effective, with no moving parts to break and no additional labor needed to operate.
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Nanocrystal electricity companies are working on wireless electricity
Wireless electricity transmission is a technology that powers devices without the use of cables. The idea of wireless electricity is not new, but interest in it has been renewed in recent years due to a range of projects from private companies, universities, and government organizations. One of the major factors driving research into wireless power transmission is the energy transition, which has created a logistical challenge: how to bring power from remote locations to where it is needed.
Nanocrystal electricity is a type of wireless power transmission that uses nanocrystals to generate electric currents via the piezoelectric effect. Nanocrystals are crystalline particles with at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometers. They can generate signals at a precise voltage and frequency, transmitting radio waves wirelessly. Devices with built-in receivers can then convert these radio waves into electricity, powering the device without the need for a cord or power outlet.
While nanocrystal electricity has been touted as a potential green technology revolution, it is important to note that the electric currents produced are too small to power anything significant. Additionally, the startup company Energous, which was once cited as spearheading nanocrystal electricity, has since denied any involvement with the technology.
Despite this, several tech startups are actively working on scaling up wireless power transfer (WPT) for widespread use. One such company is EMROD, which is developing hardware capable of sending large amounts of power over long distances. EMROD's shorter-term goals are based on transmitting power wirelessly on Earth via relay towers, with plans to pilot a scheme bringing wireless power to a remote community in the Middle East.
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Frequently asked questions
Wireless electricity, also known as power beaming, is a technology that transmits energy over long distances without the need for physical connections such as cables or wires. It has become a global effort, with investments from various countries and sectors, including the military in the US and green energy initiatives in Europe.
Some companies at the forefront of wireless charging technology include WiTricity, Wi-Charge, EMROD, and Powercast. WiTricity is the global industry leader in wireless charging, with its patented magnetic resonance technology being incorporated into EV roadmaps. Wi-Charge is developing long-range wireless power transmission technology that is more efficient and cheaper, with applications in charging electric vehicles. EMROD, a New Zealand-based company, has worked with utility partners worldwide to test its power-beaming technology, aiming for 99% efficiency. Powercast is developing technologies for low-power sensors in homes and retail locations, such as smart lighting and motion sensors.
Wireless electricity offers several advantages, including increased efficiency and convenience, and the ability to continuously charge devices such as electric vehicles, drones, and satellites. It also provides a solution for powering remote communities that are not well-connected to traditional power grids. Additionally, wireless electricity can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to the electrification of various industries.
