by Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of wireless power transfer, which could revolutionize the way devices are charged over long distances. While current wireless charging pads have demonstrated high efficiency within close proximity, this new research shows that by leveraging the power of radiation suppression in loop antennas, devices can be charged over significantly longer distances with over 80% efficiency. This breakthrough could have major implications for a wide range of devices, from mobile gadgets to biomedical implants.
The engineers at Aalto University have developed an improved method for long-distance wireless charging by enhancing the interaction between transmitting and receiving antennas and utilizing radiation suppression. By suppressing the radiation resistance of the loop antennas that are sending and receiving power, the high efficiency of charging over short distances can be sustained over longer distances.
Previously, the same lab created an omnidirectional wireless charging system that allowed devices to be charged at any orientation. Building on this work, the researchers have now developed a new dynamic theory of wireless charging that considers both near (non-radiative) and far (radiative) distances and conditions. They have demonstrated that high transfer efficiency, over 80%, can be achieved at distances approximately five times the size of the antenna, using the optimal frequency within the hundred-megahertz range.
Lead author Nam Ha-Van, a postdoctoral researcher at Aalto University, explained that they aimed to balance power transfer efficiency with radiation loss, which typically occurs over longer distances. They discovered that when the currents in the loop antennas have equal amplitudes and opposite phases, radiation loss can be canceled, resulting in a boost in efficiency.
The researchers have also developed a universal approach to analyzing wireless power transfer systems, which can be done mathematically or experimentally. This allows for a comprehensive evaluation of power transfer efficiency at both near and far distances. Testing was conducted between two loop antennas positioned at a considerable distance relative to their sizes, confirming that radiation suppression is the mechanism that helps improve transfer efficiency.
Ha-Van emphasized that this breakthrough has implications beyond phones and gadgets. Biomedical implants with limited battery capacity can greatly benefit from wireless power transfer, and the researchers’ approach can also account for barriers like human tissue that may impede charging.
This breakthrough in long-distance wireless charging efficiency could pave the way for a new era of wireless power transfer, offering convenience and flexibility for a wide range of devices. With further research and development, wireless charging could become a ubiquitous technology, transforming the way we power our devices.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
