Things You Can Expect From Wireless Charging in the Future
The future of wireless charging is coming at high speed. The days when the need for cabled chargers and risk for electrical accidents are increased will be long gone. Its benefits will range from devices as simple as everyday household ones, but also to more complicated devices such as those involved in the medical, industrial, and military fields. Expectations from wireless charging have yet to be fully met, but current development in the technology is being done by different companies.
The use of wireless charging in the mainstream market is the aim. One of the targets is integration of wireless charging in devices which do not usually employ this principle. Other devices targeted are notebooks, tablets, Bluetooth headsets, and laptops. The aim is to provide more power with less time than typical cable charging.
Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) employs the Qi specification for charging, which consists of stability, high-speed, and affordability. Receivers can be as thin as 0.92 mm. However, it needs proximity to the charging surface. Efficiency is also 66% of that of typical chargers, so contact is preferred. The WPC A1 module features a newer design. It enables less power losses during transmission, as well as faster charging, making the process more efficient. Only one target device is allowed to charge. Transmission is lowered to prevent over-charging when battery is full. Charging is improved by combination of transmission and receiving coil. Coils of different sizes depending on the power needed by the devices to be charged are used.
- Rezence, another innovator in this field, enables charging of multiple devices. However, it is also more complex. It uses a larger induction coil to enable multiple charging; therefore, transmitting more power. It can be used for tabletop charging and is expected to come to the market in 2016.
- WiTricity has enabled longer distance charging. This is improved by researchers from MIT. They can charge devices which are two meters away; however, magnetic fields generated can also charge other devices which are in proximity. Advantages of this are improved mobility, flexibility, and ability to charge through glass and plastic.
- ETERNA wireless charging technology is also going strong in this field. THUNDERLINK is the power receiver, which is only 20 mm in length and can be integrated in even the smallest devices. NEST is the customized power transmitter, and can be anything, such as a box, a cup holder, or a drawer, wherein devices can be placed and charged. For maximum charging efficiency, ETERNA charging optimizer is also employed to prevent power losses.
Different companies are investing in charging technology, and they are doing extremely well. Hurdles such as efficiency of charging, control and limitation of electromagnetic waves, need for physical contact for charging, portability and weight of receivers integrated in the devices are being overcome by different researches. The aim is to integrate these advancements in one wireless charging device.It is only a matter of time before even the highest expectations are met and these chargers hit the mainstream market.