Wireless Power Transmission

Description

The technology for wireless power transmission or wireless power transfer (WPT) is in the forefront of electronic development. Applications involving microwaves, solar cells, lasers, and resonance of electromagnetic waves have had the most recent success with WPT.  The main function of wireless power transfer is to allow electrical devices to be continuously charged and lose the constraint of a power cord.  Although the idea is only a theory and not widely implemented yet, extensive research dating back to the 1850’s has led to the conclusion that WPT is possible.  The three main systems used for WPT are microwaves, resonance, and solar cells. Microwaves would be used to send electromagnetic radiation from a power source to a receiver in an electrical device. 

The concept of resonance causes electromagnetic radiation at certain frequencies to cause an object to vibrate.  This vibration can allow energy to be transmitted between the two vibrating sources.  Solar cells, ideally, would use a satellite in space to capture the suns energy and send the energy back to Earth.  This concept would help to solve the major energy crisis currently concerning most of the world.  These ideas would work perfectly in theory, but converting the radio frequencies into electrical power and electrical power to radio frequencies are two main problems that are withholding this idea to become reality. This paper will explore the technological applications of microwaves, resonance, and solar cells in WPT and explain the basic technique of  transmitting power wirelessly. It will also include problems encountered during experimentation and recent advances in the field. The paper will also include the futuristic applications of WPT and its ability to solve the energy crisis.