Intel demos wireless power distribution

Tesla coils notwithstanding, the transmission of electricity wirelessly is a challenge that has flummoxed researchers for a century. Is it possible those challenges could be coming to an end? Last week, Intel showed off a working system that powered a 60-watt light bulb remotely, sans wires.

In simple terms, the technology uses magnetic fields to do the job. A field is created in one disc (about the size of a pizza pan) of copper wire, and that magnetic field causes electrons to move in another disc, stationed a few feet away (but within the range of operation of the magnetic effect). This is a similar theory to the one that allows electric toothbrushes to recharge, but those devices usually have to be so close together that they touch. The basic process for the new system, known as resonant induction, was developed in 2006. The ultimate range for the technology is predicted to be about 15 feet.

Power is great, but safety is better. Critically, Intel notes that this magnetic induction system (officially known as resonant induction) is non-hazardous to humans, since we aren't affected by magnetic fields. In other words, you can walk through the transmission area and not be zapped, an insurmountable problem with some current high-power wireless transmission solutions like lasers and microwaves.

Commercialization of the technology is likely years away, but given the intense interest in wireless power I'd say it's extremely likely we'll see it come to pass before long. The challenges, of course, are myriad: Increasing range, increasing efficiency (lots of power is lost in the induction process), and decreasing the size of the units needed to transmit and receive the power. Still, for anyone who grew up watching fluorescent bulbs light up next to eight-foot-tall Tesla coils at their local science fair, this is some very cool tech.

WATCH: The system in action (first video on the page)