ABSTRACT:
Our forefathers marveled at the
invention of glowing light bulbs by Thomas Edison in 1879. However, to us 21st
centurions, the light bulb is nothing out of the ordinary. When computers, cell
phones, laptops, iPods, etc. were invented our antennas tweaked. Now this is
what you call invention! However, as time's progressing we are getting used to
these devices. In fact, charging all these appliances has become so very
cumbersome Each appliance has its own set of chargers, and with every family
member owning their cellphones, the drawers are overflowing with all sorts of
wires. How many times have you wished if there could be some way to do away
with all the wiry lutter? When you are on the way to work and your cellphone
beeps in hunger for a battery harge, haven't you wished for your cellphone attery to get 'self charged'. Well
your plight has been heard by doctor 'WiTricity'.
What is WiTricity?
WiTricity is nothing but wireless electricity. Transmission
of electrical energy from one object to another without the use of wires is
called as WiTricity. WiTricity will ensure that the cell phones, laptops, iPods
and other power hungry devices get charged on their own, eliminating the need
of plugging them in. Even better, because of WiTricity some of the devices
won't require batteries to operate .
What's the Principle behind WiTricity?
WiTricity - Wireless Electricity, these words are simpler
said than done. The concept behind this fascinating term is a little complex.
However, if you want to understand it, try and picture what I state in the next
few lines. Consider two self resonating copper coils of same resonating
frequency with a diameter 20 inches each. One copper wire is connected to the
power source WiTricity transmitter), while the other copper wire is connected
to the device (WiTricity Receiver).
The electric power from the power source causes the copper
coil connected to it to start oscillating at a particular (MHz) frequency.
Subsequently, the space around the copper coil gets filled with nonmagnetic
radiations. This generated magnetic field
further transfers the power to the other copper coil connected to the
receiver. Since this coil is also of the same frequency, it starts oscillating
at the same frequency as the first coil. This is known as ‘coupled resonance'
and is
the principle behind WiTricity.
The Brain behind WiTricity?
Prof. Marin soljacicfromMassachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT), is the one who has proved that magnetic coupled resonance can be
utilized in order to transfere nergy without wires. What's even more
interesting is how he came about this idea. Soljacic, just like any of us was
fed up of his 'low battery' beeping cell phone anwondered just like any of us
if there was a way to get rid of this 'charging problem'. However, here is
where the difference between Soljacic and any of us comes in. He didn't just
stand there wondering, instead he tried to figure out if there existed any
physical phenomenon which could be of some help. He remembered Michael
Faraday's discovery of electromagnetic induction (1831) and used it to come up
with WiTricity.
MIT's Experiment:
In 2007, Marin Soljacic led a five member team of
researchers at MIT (funded by Army Research Office, National Science foundation
and the Department of Energy) and experimentally demonstrated transfer of
electricity without the use of wires. These researchers were able to light a 60W
bulb from a source placed seven feet away, with absolutely no physical contact
between the bulb and the power source.
The first copper coil (24 inches in diameter) was connected to the Power
source and the second was connected to the bulb, and were Made to resonate at a
frequency of 10 MHz. The bulb glowed even when different objects (like a wooden
panel) were placed between the two coils. The system worked with 40% efficiency
and the power that wasn't utilized remained in the vicinity of the transmitter
itself, and did not radiate to the surrounding environment.
Is WiTricity a New Concept?
No, this concept of
wireless electricity is not new. In fact it dates back to the 19th century,
when Nikola Tesla used conduction- based systems instead of resonance magnetic
fields to transfer wireless power. Further, in 2005, Dave Gerding coined the
term WiTricity which is being used by the MIT researchers today. Moreover, we all are aware of the use of
electromagnetic radiation (radio waves) which is quite well known for wireless
transfer of Information. In addition, lasers have also been used to transmit
energy without wires. However, radio waves are not feasible for power
transmissions because the nature of the radiation is such tha it spreads across
the place, resulting into a large amount of radiations being wasted. And in the
case of lasers, apart from requirement of uninterrupted line of sight
(obstacles hinders the transmission
process), it is also very dangerous.
Why was WiTricity not developed before?
It is often said 'necessity is the best
teacher' and can be applied in this case as well. Only in this century, has the
need for wireless electricity emerged so rapidly, spearheaded by the agony
caused by the cumbersome charging of endless devices. Earlier people didn't
need it, so they didn't
think about it.
How safe is
WiTricity?
Human beings or other
objects placed between the transmitter and receiver do not hinder the
transmission of power. However, does magnetic coupling or resonance coupling
have any harmful effects on humans? MIT's researchers are quite confident that WiTricity's 'coupling resonance' is safe for
humans. They say that the magnetic fields tend to interact very weakly with the
biological tissues of the body, and so are not pre one to cause any damage to any living beings.
What's the Future of WiTricity?
MIT's WiTricity is only
40 to 45% efficient and according to Solace,
they have to be twice as
efficient to compete with the
traditional chemical batteries. The team's next aim is to get a robotic vacuum
or a laptop working, charging devices placed anywhere in the room and even
robots on factory floors. The researchers are
also urrently working on the health issues related to this concept and
have said that in another three to five years time, they will come up with a
WiTricity system for commercial use.
WiTricity, if successful will definitely change the way we live. Imagine
cell phones, laptops, digital camera's getting self charged! Wow! Let's hope
the researchers will be able to come up with the commercial system soon. Till
then, we wait in anticipation!
Conclusion:
The
wictricity i.e. the wireless electricity is more useful to our daily
life to charging our mobiles,laptops,digital camera’s etc.
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