Different Approaches

Wireless recharging devices do not currently exist. We are exploring two ways to create them:

The ``Diffused Glow Interior Lighting'':

 Buildings will continue to have a wired infrastructure both for power and communications. Addition of wireless power transmitters can be done at low cost.

In this approach, buildings are equipped with power transmitters to power or recharge smart devices. The transmitters omni-directionally transmit diffuse microwave radiation. Devices to be powered or recharged by wireless means have an attached rectenna to intercept the radiated power and convert it to DC.

The ``Drying Lamp'' or ``Microwave Oven'' :

 Bulk recharging of wireless devices is an interesting application worth considering. Devices suitably equipped with rectennas can be recharged en masse by being dumped on to a table and irradiated with microwaves from a projector (drying lamp). Or the irradiation apparatus can be shielded during operation (the microwave oven), permitting higher power densities and quicker recharging. The devices to be recharged this way either need to have their electronics shielded or they can be switched off during recharging.

The implications of wireless powering and recharging are profound. We believe that this technology has a wide range of applications and can revolutionize the way in which we think about and use wireless devices. Some questions remain to be answered regarding the safety and commercial feasibility of wireless power delivery. At the same time, the basic pieces of technology required are already available today. We are working presently to put that technology together into effective demonstrations.