Disney researchers have just successfully created a prototype living room that can efficiently deliver wireless power to as much as 10 devices. This breakthrough technology may usher in the ubiquitous wireless power era much like the Wi-Fi we enjoy today. However, the technology is still at an infancy stage and may need more tweaking to wirelessly power a small room to a huge warehouse.

The researchers at Disney have successfully come up with a methodology using the Quasistatic Cavity Resonance (QSCR) technology to provide wireless power at full coverage of a room the size of a standard living room. The prototype living room can transfer power wirelessly to 10 devices like the smartphone, a fan, a lamp, an RC car and more. Existing methods right now is only capable of wireless transfer of power when the device is in close proximity to a charging pad. In Disney's room, the device can be roaming and it will still be charging.

The research data was published in the journal "Plos One" where the Disney researchers explained the methodology they use in the wireless power delivery. It involves bringing 1900 watts of energy that can charge with an efficiency rate of 40 to 95 percent. The position of the device affects how well it will be charged.

There are certain conditions that need to be followed in order to achieve a room-scale wireless power delivery. Disney used aluminum panels for the walls and built a large copper pole right at the center and spanning the ceiling to the floor. The mid-section of the pole is where 15 capacitors were installed that will set the resonant frequency. These same capacitors will also isolate the electric field which is fed from a signal generator with an output tone of 1.32MHz.

The room then gets blanketed in a magnetic field with a receiving coil calibrated to resonate at the same frequency to wirelessly power any devices in the room. The 1900 watts of power is still within the Federal Guidelines for Specific absorption Rate (SAR) or the measure of energy that can safely be absorbed by the human body and anything higher can be deemed dangerous. However, the catch is that there should always be devices to wirelessly power or else this much energy can still pose hazards to people, Ars Technica reported. Moreover, persons should keep a distance by 46 centimeters from the copper pole as a safety precaution.

Though the wireless power delivery technology is still in its early stages, Disney researchers believe it can still be further improved to power conventional rooms. They indicated that adding a window or a door has not affected the efficient transfer of power. The technology may also work minus the specifically designed metal encased room. In sum, the age of no wires and no clutters may soon come to make homes truly modern, according to Gizmodo.

Topics Wireless Charging