Wireless? Cory Goga Prof. Challinger

Wireless Electricity The idea that electricity could be transmitted using radio waves has been around since the beginning of the 20 th century. In the 1960’s a miniature helicopter was powered using microwaves from the ground. This follows the wireless trend seen in today’s gadgets. May eventually lead to using satellites to harvest solar energy and beam it down earth.

The Details Current methods are not very energy efficient, wasting 50%-90% electricity in the transmission process. Threes potential methods for wireless power transmission: Radio waves similar to those used in Wi-fi transmission A small focused laser fired at a photovoltaic cell on a wireless device or household appliances. A fluctuating magnetic field from one wire coil used to create an electric current in another coil.

Effects on Society The ability to wirelessly transmit electricity may solve one of the worlds biggest issues, oil. Wireless power could play a large role in solving the world energy crisis because we will have access to a more convenient energy source than oil. This will change the way the world looks at electricity; though the added convenience may cause people to be more careless than they already are with their energy. This will also result in the next level in information mobility and connectivity.

Effects on Me I own many gadgets that require a charge every few days, along with a TV, fridge, and other appliances that require a socket to get their energy. Using wireless electricity transmission will make my life much easier in terms of dealing with these devices. I won’t have to worry about the batteries dying in my phone, iPod, or computer ever again, resulting in more mobility than I had before.

Robson, D.. (2010, February 08). Unplugged: goodbye cables, hello energy beams. Newscientist, (2746), Retrieved from unplugged-goodbye-cables-hello-energy- beams.html?page=1 unplugged-goodbye-cables-hello-energy- beams.html?page=1 unplugged-goodbye-cables-hello-energy- beams.html?page=1 This article is reliable because it is in a reputable scientific periodical.