Could Wireless Electricity Revolutionize Energy Use Without Health Risks?

AI Thread Summary
Wireless electricity has the potential to revolutionize energy use, but concerns about health risks remain significant. Discussions highlight the feasibility of large-scale adoption, particularly in relation to technologies like space-based power beaming and the implications of living near RF devices or power lines. Efficiency issues are noted, with skepticism about the practicality of transmitting power wirelessly over distances due to conversion losses and the need for bulky equipment. While charging pads may see growth, the limitations of portability and efficiency could hinder broader applications. Overall, health concerns and efficiency challenges are critical factors in the future of wireless electricity.
DuncanM
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I came across an interesting story today and thought I would share it here.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/132/brilliant.html"

Neat stuff.

Although I do wonder, even if they get it working and feasible for large-scale adoption, would there be any adverse health affects? (I sometimes read articles in magazines like "Popular Mechanics" and "Popular Science" about how groups are considering producing power in space and beaming it down to Earth as microwaves. I don't think I'd feel comfortable living in a large microwave oven. Or being surrounded by RFID devices. Or living under power lines. etc.)
 
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DuncanM said:
I came across an interesting story today and thought I would share it here.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/132/brilliant.html"

Neat stuff.

Although I do wonder, even if they get it working and feasible for large-scale adoption, would there be any adverse health affects? (I sometimes read articles in magazines like "Popular Mechanics" and "Popular Science" about how groups are considering producing power in space and beaming it down to Earth as microwaves. I don't think I'd feel comfortable living in a large microwave oven. Or being surrounded by RFID devices. Or living under power lines. etc.)

MIT has been working on that for a while.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/techtalk51-30.pdf

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/wireless-0607.html

CS
 
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I think health concerns will be a major issue here and because of the necessity of some sort of power focussing any applications will be limited to static components.
 
I doubt the efficiency can ever be very high. There are losses in converting from AC-DC, DC-RF, coupling loss, RF-DC and maybe DC-AC.

Makes a lot more sense to just run a wire and have no conversions or just one; AC-DC.
 
Charging pads will no doubt be an expanding market, though I think a limited one because of one critical problem: people won't want to carry around the charging apparatus attached to their cell phone all the time. Power transmitted across the room to power a laptop computer? Never going to happen. It is far too inefficient and again, you'd need a couple of pounds of coils or a big dish attached to the back of your laptop for it to work at all.

For health concerns, low frequency EMF (power lines) have none. Microwaves obviously have some, particularly for the space-based power station idea.
 

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