Jun 14, 2017

Scientists discover how to wirelessly transfer power to moving objects

Mark Lennihan / AP

While we know how to deliver power wirelessly to stationary objects like implantable medical devices, scientists have tried for years to develop ways to wirelessly charge moving objects. Now, new research in Nature demonstrates a system that can charge an LED light bulb even as it moves away from the power source.

How it works: Using a quantum mechanics concept called parity-time symmetry that describes interactions at the sub-atomic level, a Stanford research team was able to transfer power wirelessly and keep an LED light bulb fully lit for up to one meter as it moved away from the source of power.

What's next: If such a wireless power system can be scaled, it could be developed to deliver power to things like electric vehicles as they're moving along roads.

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