The Power Of Wireless

Intel showed off a wireless electric power system that analysts say could revolutionize modern life by freeing devices from transformers and wall outlets, and made me regret not owning their stock.

Intel chief technology officer Justin Rattner demonstrated a Wireless Energy Resonant Link as he spoke at the firm's annual developers forum in San Francisco. Electricity was sent wirelessly to a lamp on stage, lighting a 60 watt bulb that uses more power than a typical laptop computer. And most importantly, the electricity was transmitted without zapping anything or anyone that got between the sending and receiving units.

"The trick with wireless power is not can you do it; it's can you do it safely and efficiently," said a researcher. "It turns out the human body is not affected by magnetic fields; it is affected by electric fields. So what we are doing is transmitting energy using the magnetic field not the electric field."

Examples of potential applications include airports, offices or other buildings that could be rigged to supply power to laptops, mobile telephones or other devices toted into them. The technology could also be built into plugged in computer components, such as monitors, to enable them to broadcast power to devices left on desks or carried into rooms. Yes, initially it eliminates chargers and eventually it eliminates batteries all together. "That is potentially a world changing event. This is the closest we've had to something being commercially available in this class." Previous wireless power systems consisted basically of firing lightning bolts from sending to receiving units. Yes, lightning bolts.

Intel's wireless power system is still in an early stage of development and much research remains before it can be brought to market, but goddamn when it does!