Umair Gaines
Nanocrystal electricity is a wireless power transfer technology that investors in the late 2010s touted as a revolutionary green technology. The startup tech company, Energous Corp (NASDAQ: WATT), was cited in several articles and financial newsletters as spearheading nanocrystal electricity, a disruptive technology with great money-making potential. Nanocrystal electricity refers to tiny crystals generating electric currents via the piezoelectric effect, which occurs through mechanical pressure on extremely small (nano) crystals. This technology promises to transform how electricity is transmitted and consumed, charging devices wirelessly and at a distance. While the hype around Energous's technology has led to a well-documented history of overpromising on development timelines, the company has made significant strides, becoming the only company to achieve Wireless Charging 2.0 to date.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Energous Corp |
| Stock Symbol | WATT |
| Technology | Nanocrystal Electricity, Wireless Charging 2.0 |
| Product | WattUp Mid Field Transmitter |
| Functionality | Contact-based and non-contact-based wireless charging |
| Charging Ability | Can charge multiple devices at once |
| Range | Up to three feet |
| Interoperability | Ensured between receivers and transmitters |
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What You'll Learn
Wireless power transfer (WPT)
WPT can be categorized into near-field and far-field techniques. In near-field or non-radiative techniques, power is transferred over short distances by magnetic fields using inductive coupling between coils of wire, or by electric fields and capacitive coupling between metal electrodes. Inductive coupling is the most widely used wireless technology and is used in charging handheld devices like phones, electric toothbrushes, and electric shavers. It is also used in implantable medical devices like artificial cardiac pacemakers, visual prostheses, and electric vehicles.
In far-field or radiative techniques, also called power beaming, power is transferred by beams of electromagnetic radiation, such as microwaves or laser beams. These techniques can transport energy over longer distances but must be aimed at the receiver. Proposed applications for this type of WPT include solar power satellites and wireless-powered drone aircraft.
WPT is becoming ubiquitous in everyday life, with smartphones frequently incorporating wireless charging capabilities. Wireless charging pads use inductive power transfer (IPT), one of the fundamental techniques of WPT, to charge devices wirelessly. IPT is often employed for short-range applications, while resonant inductive coupling is advantageous for mid-range applications due to its ability to transfer power efficiently over larger distances.
One company that has developed WPT technology is Energous Corp (NASDAQ: WATT), a wireless charging startup that showcased its first prototype "over-the-air" charging system at the Consumer Electronics Show. Their WattUp Mid Field transmitter can deliver power via radio frequency (RF) energy to WattUp-enabled electronic devices at a distance of up to three feet.
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Nanocrystal electricity's history
The history of nanocrystal electricity is relatively recent, with its development being pursued by several tech startups in the late 2010s. The technology itself refers to the use of tiny crystals to generate electric currents via the piezoelectric effect, which occurs through the application of mechanical pressure on extremely small (nano) crystals. This results in the creation of an electric current.
One of the earliest known mentions of nanocrystal electricity was in reference to the startup tech company, Energous (WATT), a wireless charging startup based in Silicon Valley. In the late 2010s, Energous gained attention for its prototype "over-the-air" charging system, which utilised nanocrystal electricity. The company's WattUp Mid Field transmitter can deliver power via radio frequency (RF) energy to WattUp-enabled electronic devices at a distance of up to three feet. This technology addresses the limitations of older charging methods, which primarily relied on contact-based charging.
Despite the initial excitement, it was later noted that Energous's 10-K filings made no mention of "nanocrystal" or related terms. This discrepancy sparked debates about the validity of the term "nanocrystal electricity" and whether it was overhyped by investors. However, the underlying technology and its potential for wireless power transfer (WPT) continued to be an area of interest for multiple companies.
Several companies are now working on developing wireless power transfer (WPT) technology, employing principles of radio frequency (RF) waves, ultrasound, lasers, or magnetic resonance to revolutionise how electricity is transmitted and consumed. While the term "nanocrystal electricity" may have faced scrutiny, the underlying concept of wireless electricity was first introduced by Nikola Tesla at the beginning of the 20th century, showcasing a long-standing vision for wire-free power transmission.
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Wireless electricity
Wireless power transfer can be achieved through inductive coupling, where power is transferred over short distances by magnetic fields, or power beaming, where power is transferred by beams of electromagnetic radiation over longer distances. The former is the most widely used wireless technology and is used in charging handheld devices, RFID tags, induction cooking, and implantable medical devices. The latter can transport energy over longer distances but must be aimed at the receiver and is proposed for use in solar power satellites and wireless-powered drone aircraft.
Wireless power transfer has many benefits, including increased mobility, convenience, and safety for users. It can also eliminate the need for wires and batteries, providing more flexibility in the design and placement of charging pads. Additionally, wireless power transfer can work through various materials, such as wood, plastic, and glass, without disrupting the visual aesthetics.
One company that has developed wireless electricity technology is Energous Corp (NASDAQ: WATT), a startup based in Silicon Valley. Their WattUp Mid Field transmitter can deliver power via radio frequency (RF) energy to WattUp-enabled electronic devices at a distance of up to three feet. Energous is the only company to achieve Wireless Charging 2.0, which allows for both contact-based and non-contact-based wireless charging of multiple devices simultaneously.
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Energous' WattUp transmitter
Energous Corporation is a leader in the next generation of wireless charging technology. Its wireless charging solution, WattUp, is a highly scalable radio frequency (RF)-based wireless charging technology that supports both contact-based and at-a-distance wireless charging. It is the only technology that can do both, as well as charge multiple devices at once.
The WattUp ecosystem, similar to Wi-Fi, ensures interoperability between receivers and transmitters, regardless of the manufacturer. This makes the entire ecosystem flexible and accessible for consumers and manufacturing partners. The technology delivers an automated energy flow that optimizes device performance, acting as an efficient data link that allows users to analyze, optimize, and improve every part of their supply chain in real-time.
The Energous WattUp transmitter has passed regulatory muster in the U.S., Europe, and over 100 other countries. The company's WattUp Mid Field transmitter can deliver power via RF energy to WattUp-enabled electronic devices at a distance of up to three feet. The transmitter can also be used for near-field charging, within 10 centimeters, and can be embedded in devices such as wireless charging cases for earbuds.
In November 2019, Energous launched the DA2223 receiver chip, its smallest chip at 1.7 x 1.4 x 0.5 millimeters. It is designed to fit into small devices such as hearing aids, smartwatches, wireless speakers, and smartphones. The company also received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification for a GaN-based WattUp Near Field wireless charging transmitter, which delivers higher power with improved efficiency, enabling fast charging for hearables, wearables, medical sensors, and more.
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Nanocrystal electricity's future
Nanocrystal electricity is an exciting prospect for the future of energy transmission and device charging. The technology has been developed by a small Silicon Valley company called Energous Corp (NASDAQ: WATT), which has been the subject of much hype since it showcased its prototype "over-the-air" charging system at the Consumer Electronics Show a few years ago.
The company's WattUp Mid Field transmitter can deliver power via radio frequency (RF) energy to WattUp-enabled devices at a distance of up to three feet. This is a significant advancement as it is the only technology that can provide both contact-based and non-contact-based wireless charging, as well as charge multiple devices simultaneously. The WattUp ecosystem also ensures interoperability between receivers and transmitters, regardless of the manufacturer, making it flexible and accessible.
The potential of nanocrystal electricity has attracted the attention of major industries and investors, with Energous receiving $25 million from Dialog Semiconductor as a partner. The company is also working on integrating its technology with 56 other tech firms, indicating the beginning of a massive rollout.
While the future of nanocrystal electricity looks promising, it is important to note that the actual investment prospect and product development timelines can be complicated. Energous, for example, has a history of overpromising on its development timelines, which has impacted its stock price.
Looking beyond Energous, nanocrystals have broader applications in optoelectronics, which are essential in telecommunications, medical devices, and energy production. Nanocrystals can improve the performance of LEDs and solar cells, leading to advancements in various technologies, including brighter TV screens, better medical diagnostics, and more efficient solar panels.
In conclusion, nanocrystal electricity has the potential to revolutionize the way we power our devices and may even lead to the realization of Nikola Tesla's dream of wireless electricity. While there are challenges and uncertainties ahead, the technology is real, and consumers are eager to embrace the convenience of wireless charging. The future of nanocrystal electricity will depend on continued innovation, successful partnerships, and delivering on the promises made to investors and the public.
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Frequently asked questions
Energous Corp (NASDAQ: WATT), a wireless charging startup, is the company that developed nanocrystal electricity.
Nanocrystal electricity refers to tiny crystals generating electric currents via the piezoelectric effect.
There are two ways this effect happens: direct and inverse. Mechanical pressure on extremely small (nano) crystals creates an electric current. Microphones and pressure sensors function because of the direct piezoelectric effect. The inverse piezoelectric effect occurs when voltage is applied to a piezoelectric crystal, expanding or shrinking it.
The company’s WattUp Mid Field transmitter can deliver power via radio frequency (RF) energy to WattUp-enabled electronic devices at a distance of up to three feet. It is the only technology that can do both contact-based and non-contact-based wireless charging, as well as charge multiple devices at once.
