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What is Wireless Energy Transfer?

Malcolm Tatum
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,930
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Also known as a wireless power transmission, the basic definition of wireless energy transfer is a process that takes place in any type of system in which electrical current is conveyed from a power source to an electrical load. What makes this process unique is that there is no usage of any type of wiring to connect the system to a source of power. While many people tend to associated wireless one and two-way communications like radio signals or cell phone transmissions to the process of wireless energy transfer, this is not correct. Wireless energy transfer has to do supplying operational power to a system that needs to function when connection via electrical wiring or cable is unavailable or inefficient.

The history of wireless energy transfer is often traced back to the early part of the 19th century. William Sturgeon developed the first electromagnet in 1825, which cleared the way for the discovery of the basic principle of electromagnetic induction in 1831. Within just a few years, Nicholas Joseph Callan made use of these two scientific developments to successfully demonstrate that the receipt and transmission of electrical energy could take place without the presence of any type of wiring to connect the points of origin and termination. This was accomplished by using two insulated coils that were placed on opposite sides of a small amount of iron ore. A battery was used to initiate a charge on one coil, which in turn was able to jump to the second coil without benefit of any type of connection.

While the demonstration of the reality of a wireless transfer of energy was a significant event for scientific research, practical applications never quite lived up to early expectations. Part of the reason for this has been suspicion, largely unsubstantiated that the transference of energy using wireless methods was not practical over long distances, and in fact might not even be safe. While experimentation in the early 20th century established successful usage over distances that were roughly the length of the average front yard, many people noted that the presence of any type of obstacles would seriously weaken the quality of the transmission.

Thus, the use of wireless energy transfer has tended to remain with applications that required only very short distances between the transmitter and the receiver. Still, thoughts about the potential for health issues developing due to the bombardment of wireless energy transfer still remain uppermost in the minds of many people, which probably inhibits interest in developing any wide range applications today.

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Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments
By anon159780 — On Mar 13, 2011

Is it not valid to say that an electric toothbrush uses a similar means to gain its charge?

By anon131243 — On Dec 01, 2010

@submariner- UAV actually stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

By anon130302 — On Nov 28, 2010

i am studying B.tech in electricals and electronics.I am interested in producing wireless power transmission. so please send me the web sites useful for this topic.

By Glasshouse — On Oct 26, 2010

@ Submariner- Wow that is amazing. I always wondered if wireless electricity could be a reality...often when I am staring at the jumble of wires that feed into the wall below my television. I never realized that it was a reality and that there are applications out there that actually take advantage of this. I would be curious to see what types of products will use wireless electricity in the future.

By submariner — On Oct 26, 2010

@ Anon21543- Probably the most well-known consumer product that uses wireless energy transfer, or electromagnetic inductive power transfer as it is officially called, is the Powermat. This is the new device that you have seen at your local electronics store that can charge cell phone and device batteries by simply setting them on a mat plugged into your wall.

Another area where wireless energy transfer may become a reality is in the military. The military is looking into technology that would allow the wireless powering of UAV's (unmanned autonomous vehicles). I am not sure exactly how it would work, but the gist of it is that a satellite would beam the energy to the UAVs from space, allowing it to be powered by the satellites solar batteries. This would allow the UAVs to go on longer reconnaissance missions and not have to worry about running out of power.

By anon21543 — On Nov 17, 2008

what are the applications of wireless energy transfer?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
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