Scientists demonstrate wireless power technology

Mobile computers could be charged using wireless electricity sources in future

Scientists discover a method for wireless electricity transfer

US scientists have developed a way of wirelessly powering electrical equipment from a distance.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) refer to the wireless transfer of electricity as ‘WiTricity’.

The technology is able to charge a 60W light bulb from a distance of 2m (7ft).

WiTricity was developed through exploring simple physics and exploits the resonance of low-frequency electromagnetic waves.

The concept could in future be applied to mobile devices such as laptops, promising a potential solution to the problem of short battery life.

The experimental setup consisted of two 60cm (2ft) diameter copper coils, a transmitter attached to a power source and a receiver placed 2m (7ft) away and attached to a light bulb.

Researchers measured the energy transfer as 40 per cent efficient across the gap.