WiTricity

Today, more than ever, we have the need for everything to be as simple as possible. With all the stress that occurs in our daily lives, the last thing we need is complications and extra pieces slowing us down. For computers, this simplicity shift has already begun. No longer are consumers hassled by cables connecting them to Internet ports, or even cables connecting a keyboard and mouse. What is left however is that lousy power cable keeping it all alive.
Well, the wait may shortly be over. Earlier this year, experimenters at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) successfully tested a system that can deliver power to devices without the use of wires when a 60W light bulb was made to glow from a distance of 7 feet. They call this phenomenon WiTricity.

WiTricity utilizes the resonance of low frequency waves that causes an object to vibrate when a particular frequency is applied. By using two resonant objects with the same frequency they can exchange energy while interacting weakly with surrounding objects. In the experiment done at MIT, researchers used two copper coils. While one coil was attached to the power source it acted as the sending device that creates a non-radiative field in which a power exchange with the receiving coil takes place. To run a laptop, high power levels can be transferred over room-sized areas, with other objects in its path. Automatically, the wireless technology begins to charge devices without any need of a cord.

This wireless power concept is ideal for the typical office. Employees will be able to sit in meetings with their laptops and not have to worry about how long it will stay alive. As well, people won’t have to worry about loosing work because of too little battery power forcing unexpected shutdowns. There are actually many advantages and disadvantages of WiTricity; we can take a look at some below.

Pros:
• Can reduce dependence on batteries which is currently heavy
• Cuts costs from battery usage
• Creates a friendlier, cleaner workspace
• Allows for longer usage of devices
• Allows for usage of devices in spaces without outlets
• Cuts the time spent on charging
• Produces non-radiative waves therefore is not harmful to the human body

Cons:
• Will likely be expensive in the beginning
• Will take a while before this become and everyday technology and before it can be used with larger items such as laptops
• Will not solve the issue of power cables as not everywhere will adapt to the new trend
• Electricity is confined to small ranges, therefore you must have the right hardware in the room which you just to work
• If the coils loose their ability to transfer the wireless power, work can be lost and time can be wasted

Work Cited:
1. Fildes, Jonathan (2007, June 7). Wireless energy promise powers up. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from BBC News Web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6725955.stm
2. Hadley, Franklin (2007, June 7). Goodbye wires.... Retrieved October 1, 2007, from MIT News Web site: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/wireless-0607.html
3. McCarthy, Erin (2007, August 23). How MIT's Wireless Power Could Replace Cables and Outlets. Retrieved October 3, 2007, from Popular Mechanics Web site: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4220889.html
4. Chabrow, Eric (2007, June 11). WiTricity: Transmitting Electricity Wirelessly. Retrieved October 1, 2007, from eWeek.com Web site: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,2144542,00.asp
5. (2007, October 1). WiTricity. Retrieved October 2, 2007, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiTricity