Beatrice Lang
Nanocrystal electricity is the concept of powering homes, offices and factories without the use of wires. While the idea of wireless electricity is often attributed to Nikola Tesla, a 19th-century engineer, physicist and futurist, the specific notion of nanocrystal electricity has been more recently associated with Energous Corp, a startup company based in Silicon Valley. Despite the hype surrounding nanocrystal electricity and its potential to revolutionize the way we power our devices, it is important to note that the technology is still largely in the development phase and has faced challenges in delivering on its promises.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Energous Corp (WATT) |
| Technology | Nanocrystal electricity, Wireless Charging 2.0 |
| Functionality | Can deliver power via radio frequency (RF) energy to WattUp-enabled devices at a distance of up to three feet |
| Investment | $25 million from Dialog Semiconductor |
| Partners | 56 other tech firms |
| Product Development | Overpromising on timelines |
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What You'll Learn
Investors' interest in nanocrystal electricity
Investors have shown a keen interest in nanocrystal electricity, also known as "magic electricity", due to its potential to revolutionize the way electricity is generated and transmitted. The technology involves using tiny nanocrystals to transmit electricity wirelessly, eliminating the need for wires and plugs. This has captured the imagination of investors, who tout it as a potential disruptor that could revolutionize human civilization.
While the concept of wireless electricity is not new, with Nikola Tesla first inventing it at the beginning of the 20th century, the idea of using nanocrystals to transmit power has attracted significant investor interest in recent years. The promise of large financial returns and the potential to power everything from cars to consumer electronics wirelessly have created a buzz among investors.
Several companies have been working on developing nanocrystal electricity, although it is still largely in the research and development phase. A Silicon Valley firm, Energous (WATT), has been at the forefront, showcasing its "over-the-air" charging system at the Consumer Electronics Show. Its WattUp Mid Field transmitter can deliver power via radio frequency (RF) energy to WattUp-enabled devices at a distance of up to three feet. The company has also achieved Wireless Charging 2.0, the ability to charge devices both at contact and at a distance.
Other companies exploring nanocrystal electricity include LG Chem, which is researching the use of nanocrystal coatings on battery electrodes to improve performance and efficiency. The Nanoco Group, a UK-based multinational technology company, is also a prominent player, known for developing and licensing cadmium-free quantum dots or nanocrystals. SunPower Corporation is another company that stands to benefit from this technology, as incorporating nanocrystals into its solar cell structure and energy storage systems could significantly enhance efficiency and performance.
Despite the excitement, it is important to note that some investors have expressed concerns about overpromising and hype surrounding nanocrystal electricity. The technology faces complex product development timelines, and some companies have a history of not meeting their promised timelines. Nevertheless, with its potential to transform multiple sectors, including military, medical, industrial, and consumer, nanocrystal electricity remains an area of keen interest for investors looking for the next big opportunity.
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Nikola Tesla's wireless electricity invention
The concept of wireless electricity is not new. For this invention, we have Nikola Tesla to thank. Tesla was a brilliant scientist and one of the most productive and innovative minds of the late nineteenth century. He is best known for developing the alternating current (AC) electrical supply system, which is still used worldwide in homes, offices, and factories. However, his work on wireless electricity is less well-known.
Tesla had a bold and revolutionary vision for the world: the wireless transmission of electricity. He envisioned a "World Wireless System" that could transmit electricity and information without the need for physical power lines. This idea culminated in the construction of the Wardenclyffe Tower on Long Island, New York, an ambitious project designed to demonstrate this theory and bring it into use. The tower, which stood about 187 feet tall with a 68-foot metal dome, was intended to be a transmitter for wireless power and communication.
Tesla began experimenting with high-frequency alternating currents as early as 1891 and filed a patent for a system of transmitting electrical energy through the natural medium, using the Earth's surface and ionosphere as a conductor. He also developed the Tesla coil, which resulted from his desire to build a device that could transport electricity wirelessly. In 1898, Tesla surprised attendees at a Madison Square Garden electrical exhibition by using radio wave technology to operate a boat from afar, in what is considered the first demonstration of remote control.
Despite his groundbreaking work, Tesla faced financial pressures and skepticism about the commercial viability of his wireless power project. The Wardenclyffe Tower never became operational, and by 1906, the project had effectively ended. However, Tesla's legacy in wireless electricity and power transfer lives on, and several companies are now working on developing wireless technology known as wireless power transfer (WPT).
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Wireless power transfer (WPT) technology
The concept of wireless electricity was first invented by Nikola Tesla, a late 19th-century engineer, physicist, and futurist credited with the invention of alternating current (AC) electricity. However, the idea of nanocrystal electricity, which involves using tiny nanocrystals to transmit electricity instead of wires, is a more recent development. While there is science to support it, nanocrystal electricity currently exists mostly in research labs, particularly in the field of photovoltaics (solar energy). Several companies are working on developing a type of wireless technology called wireless power transfer (WPT), which does not rely on nanocrystals.
Magnetic WPT is a popular approach that uses electromagnetic induction to transmit power over short distances. It includes Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) and Magnetic Resonance Coupling (MRC). IPT is a well-established method that has been used since the 1970s, while MRC overcomes the limitations of leakage flux and inductance, allowing for efficient wireless power transmission over longer distances.
Ultrasonic Wireless Power Transfer (UWPT) is another WPT method that uses ultrasound to transmit energy, which is particularly useful for specialised environments like underwater or inside the human body, where electromagnetic methods may be less effective. UWPT provides a safer alternative for internal medical devices by avoiding the risks associated with electromagnetic fields and invasive battery replacements.
WPT has a wide range of applications, from recharging smartphones and other consumer electronics to powering electric vehicles and medical devices. It is also useful for powering devices where interconnecting wires are inconvenient, hazardous, or impossible, such as sensors in industrial environments or power coverage in a room. As the world moves towards greener solutions, the interest in and demand for WPT technology are steadily rising.
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Energous Corp's WattUp charging system
While the concept of wireless electricity can be traced back to Nikola Tesla in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the idea of nanocrystal electricity has been mostly associated with investor hype. Although there is some scientific research in labs exploring the use of nanocrystals to generate electricity, particularly in photovoltaics, no companies have successfully developed or commercialised this technology.
One company that has gained attention in the wireless electricity space is Energous Corporation. Energous is a wireless charging startup that showcased its first prototype "over-the-air" charging system at the Consumer Electronics Show three years ago. Their award-winning WattUp® technology is leading the next generation of wireless charging, offering at-distance charging capabilities.
The WattUp charging system utilises radio frequency (RF) energy to wirelessly charge WattUp-enabled electronic devices. It can deliver power at a distance of up to three feet and is the only technology that supports both contact-based and non-contact-based wireless charging. This makes it highly scalable and convenient for users, as devices can be charged automatically without the need for manual connections or chargers.
The system's interoperability ensures that it works seamlessly with receivers and transmitters from various manufacturers, providing flexibility and accessibility for consumers and manufacturing partners. Additionally, the WattUp ecosystem includes secure cloud-based management software, allowing users to track power usage and receive advance notice of when devices need recharging.
Beyond consumer electronics, WattUp technology has been highlighted for its military applications. It can be used to charge UAVs/UGVs, communication devices, situational awareness and targeting devices, portable field medical equipment, and more. The absence of cables, ports, or battery doors in the WattUp system also enhances protection against moisture and dust for circuits and hardware.
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Nanocrystal electricity companies' stock value
The concept of wireless electricity was invented by Nikola Tesla in the late 19th century. However, the idea of transmitting electricity via nanocrystals is a more recent development, and there are currently no companies that have successfully brought nanocrystal electricity to market. Despite this, several companies have attempted to sell stock in nanocrystal electricity, and some are working on developing a type of wireless technology called wireless power transfer (WPT).
One such company is Energous (WATT), a wireless charging startup that has been the subject of hype-filled newsletter ads since it showcased its first prototype "over-the-air" charging system. Energous's WattUp technology is the only one that can do both contact-based and non-contact-based wireless charging, as well as charge multiple devices simultaneously. The company has over 200 patents and a first-of-its-kind FCC certification for its over-the-air charging technology. As of March 2025, WATT has a year-over-year revenue growth rate of 12.49% and a forward growth rate of 249%, trading at about $0.55 per share.
Another company that has been associated with nanocrystal electricity is the Silicon Valley firm, Dialog Semiconductor. Dialog Semiconductor has invested $25 million in a partnership with an unnamed company working on NanoCrystal Electricity technology.
SunPower Corporation is another company that has shown interest in nanocrystal electricity. While it has not directly ventured into this field, its solar panel production and energy storage systems stand to benefit from incorporating nanocrystals into its products. Over the past year, SunPower's stock price has grown significantly, and experts project it to grow at 28.3% per year.
Finally, Tesla has also conducted research in the nanocrystal electricity field, making its stock even more appealing.
In summary, while there are no companies that have successfully brought nanocrystal electricity to market, several companies are working on developing this technology and have generated interest from investors. Of these, Energous and SunPower Corporation stand out for their innovative applications of nanocrystal electricity and their promising stock growth potential.
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Frequently asked questions
Energous Corp (NASDAQ:WATT) is the company behind nanocrystal electricity.
Nanocrystal electricity is a form of wireless electricity that uses tiny nanocrystals to transmit power via radio frequency (RF) energy to electronic devices.
While nanocrystal electricity is a real and exciting technology, it currently exists mostly in research labs. The company Energous has faced criticism for overpromising and not meeting development timelines.
