Goodbye Power Cords: Intel Testing Wireless Power

by Nilay Patel — Aug 22nd 2008 at 1:12PM

We've seen a number of wireless power systems come and go, but for all the hype-filled bombast and occasional working demo, the tech just hasn't gone anywhere -- but even with that background, Intel's demo of a wireless power system that can broadcast 60 watts of power up to three feet at IDF with 75 percent efficiency has us giddy with excitement. The system works using essentially the same magnetic induction principle as all the others, but Intel's seems the furthest along, and the company hopes to one day be able to charge laptops with it. Yeah, we'll take three.

Read - NYT article
Read - Pictures from the presentation

Tags: httpwww.nytimes.com20080821technology21intel.html_r3r, idf, idf 2008, Idf2008, intel, wireless charging, wireless power, WirelessCharging, WirelessPower

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

DarkLight said 3:55PM on 8-22-2008

Goodbye power cords - hello cancer :-D

DarkLight said 3:58PM on 8-22-2008

PS. Tesla did this more than 100 years ago.... But, sadly, most people don't even know who is Tesla (but everyone knows who is Edison... IMO, Tesla should be above Edison in the genius list)

Chad said 10:25PM on 8-23-2008

He was working on this same principle when he was designing Wardenclyffe Tower in 1900. You are correct about no one knowing about him, AND no one knows Nikola Tesla gave us the AC power grid we now take for granted every second of the day. He also invented the radio, despite most history books giving that credit to Marconi. Unfortunately for us Tesla was WAY too far ahead of his time, however in retrospect had he been born just 5 years sooner he would have been ahead of the 'other' guys of his time that have taken credit for his work. The is absolutely no way to know what he could have given us in today's time. Edison was a sorry b*stard who tried to discredit Tesla at every turn.

Robcas631 said 12:08AM on 8-24-2008

DarkLight, you are correct in stating that Nikolai Tesla invented this system about 100 years ago. Thanks for pointing that out.

Sean said 3:18AM on 8-24-2008

Tesla may have come up with this 100 years ago and he may of had his critics, but, if he had it working perfectly then we wouldn't have to be doing all this research now would we? Not to mention the dangers that undoubtedly will be found in this technology will make Intel's and Tesla's research completely and utterly useless. On a side note, is it just me or does anyone else find it hilarious that the people who are going on about Tesla and his research are making the most obvious typos of anyone to post a comment?

Andy said 8:19PM on 8-23-2008

Darklight is right.
This is nothing new, windings in the transmitter and the Magnetic flux travels to the receiving windings.

Has anyone determined how much more power needs to be generated on the transmitting end to drive the 75 watt bulb? 100,150,200watts?

I suspect this is very inefficient.
Just plug the d** thing in and use this toy as a science experiment.

dieter said 1:29AM on 8-24-2008

the effeciency is 75% a 75 watt bulb is powered by 100 watts with the system

Chris said 9:47PM on 8-23-2008

While most people have heard of Marconi and Edison, Tesla's fame has waned in and out over the last century. Part of the reason for it, was his own arrogance, abrasive perosnality, inability to compromise and overall flamboyant claims that failed to come true significantly reduced his credibility.

You still have conspiracy theorists trying to duplicate his mythical "Tesla Turbine" to this day! The physics and math on this one, was done sixty years ago. The fact is, Tesla lied and that is why no one can duplicate his magical turbine but his underdog status has people chasing his ghost over one hundred years later.

Yes, he was an amazing genius but his glaring character flaws and repeated lies are why he is left out of most history books.

kat61969 said 8:14PM on 8-23-2008

Tesla was brilliant. Unfortunately, most people thought he was crazy. He was just a man ahead of his time. As a rocker, I know that one person appreciated Tesla. They named their group after him.

mitch said 8:21PM on 8-23-2008

just what we need......more emf in the evironment

Skye said 8:33PM on 8-23-2008

Don’t feel sorry for Tesla. All the world is about to know his name and they are not likely to ever forget it. Most people have seen the image of an angel in the clouds playing a harp, how ironic that they got it right they just spelled it wrong. It should have been spelled HAARP.

jack said 8:41PM on 8-23-2008

I guess some think 75% efficiency is good. I think it means wasted electricity in a nation that's already addicted to oil.

jimmichigan123 said 8:43PM on 8-23-2008

what kind of PSYCHO JERK are you!!!??? you are MARRIED with KIDS and you want to go clubbing with another girl???!!!! how about spending time with your FAMILY,,, DUH!!!!!!!

Cindy said 8:44PM on 8-23-2008

Tesla...wasn't that a band in the 1980's?

;-P

Matt said 8:46PM on 8-23-2008

Yes this was Tesla's idea. If the government hadn't seized his papers after he died we would have had this a long time ago. Tesla was far ahead of his time. He knew all those years ago that we needed to find greener power sources to end our dependence on oil. He is a forgotten genius that everyone should learn about.

Bob said 9:17PM on 8-23-2008

I hope it doesn/t cost as much as wind-power. my neighbor was going to order a wind-power system for his 4000 sq ft home, but after figuring total costs has decided not to bother. total costs $50,000.00. how about that boone pickens, you old sob.

Jeff said 9:18PM on 8-23-2008

Tesla was way ahead of his time. I wish I could say the same for Edison.

Alfred Steinert said 9:19PM on 8-23-2008

WHAT DO U THINK RUNS ALL THOSE ALIEN SPACE SHIPS.

MAGNETISM

TO THEM IT'S A NO BRAINER!!!!

Michael Wayne Huff said 9:39PM on 8-23-2008

Tesla was indeed way ahead of his time but now let's get a combustion engine that does'nt need anything that causes poison exhaust! Just think about the fact that there is no thing called privacy anymore!

Robert said 10:25PM on 8-23-2008

I was speculating one day that explosion motors (chemical or nuclear or more powerful,[see the galactic sun in the middle of our galaxy] might always power electrical and "antigravity?" generators/motors. We're really powered by our sun and heat generated by the Earth itself I think. :-)

Wireless sending of electricity could be a good thing but 25% loss of efficiency at just three feet doesnt sound that good.

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