Wireless Electricity, Just About a Reality
US researchers have successfully tested an experimental system to deliver power to devices without the need for wires.
The setup, reported in the journal Science, made a 60W light bulb glow from a distance of 2m (7ft).
WiTricity, as it is called, exploits simple physics and could be adapted to charge other devices such as laptops.
The experimental setup consisted of two 60cm (2ft) diameter copper coils, a transmitter attached to a power source and a receiver placed 2m (7ft) away and attached to a light bulb.
With the power switched on at the transmitter, the bulb would light up despite there being no physical connection between the two.
Measurements showed that the setup could transfer energy with 40% efficiently across the gap.
The bulb was even made to glow when obstructions such as wood metal, electronic devices were placed between the two coils.
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