FYI: Wireless Charging

Thinking of charging your mobile phone, smartphone, gadget, or gaming device without power cable? Is it possible? Seems like a future in the sci-fi movie... But, wait! It is something that already does exist! There is already technology for wireless charging.

Reading from some resources in the web, there are three method of wireless charging:

1. Inductive Charging
   In inductive charging, an adapter equipped with contact points is attached to the device's back plate. When the device requires a charge, it is placed on a conductive charging pad, which is plugged into a socket. This method is used for charging mid-sized items such as cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs.
2. Radio Charging
   Wireless radio charging works similarly. A transmitter, plugged into a socket, generates radio waves. When the receiver attached to the device is set to the same frequency as the transmitter, it will charge the device's battery. This method is used for charging items with small batteries and low power requirements, such as watches, hearing aids, medical implants, cell phones, MP3 players and wireless keyboard and mice.
3. Resonance Charging
   In resonance charging, a copper coil attached to a power source is the sending unit. Another coil, attached to the device to be charged, is the receiver. Both coils are tuned to the same electromagnetic frequency, which makes it possible for energy to be transferred from one to the other.The method works over short distances (3-5 meters). This method is used for charging items that require large amounts of power, such as an electric car, robot, vacuum cleaner or laptop computer.

But, well... actually it is not all wireless... the sending unit still needs to be attached to the power source using power cable and plug... so, the wireless one is the receiving unit.

For consumer products, this wireless charging still very limited. But, years ahead this technology will be more and more in the market. Today, I spotted one website which sells this wireless charging device for smartphones... quite interesting... the product called PowerMat Wireless Charging System.

Interested to know more? Visit its website here.