Political and Legal Wireless

1. Introduction

Throughout advancements in technology there have been many great ideations pertaining to electricity, however, one of the most innovative is that of wireless electricity that reduces resources, increased mobility, and also has the potential to revolutionize modern science (Wireless energy transfer, 2011). Electromagnetic induction primarily includes two methods that are considered near-field. The first electromagnetic induction method is the electro-dynamic induction method. In this method, energy is transferred through electric coils that create a magnetic field. The coils transfer the energy through the magnetic field, because they are tuned at the same frequency. This transfer cannot easily be controlled and tuned to a precise transfer, so efficient energy transfers must be made over very short distances. The second electromagnetic induction method is the electrostatic induction method. This method can also be called capacitive coupling. The energy in this method is transferred through a dielectric, which is a polarized electric insulator (Wireless energy transfer, 2011).

1. Political Influences of Wireless Technology

There are issues that need to be considered, as with all new technologies, about its safety and standards. “Wireless power solutions today have been providing hope for the additional freedoms of the future, however many hurdles would still stand in this way. Many of these issues and hurdles will be very adjusting towards the high range of the expected operating requirements that are yet undefined by the consumer use.” (Baarman & Schwannecke, 2009) The hurdles discussed by Baarman and Schwannecke include: safety of wireless power, range of power and scalability, efficiency, better frequency control, and overcoming misconceptions about the technology.

The applications of this technology are far reaching and as diverse as the devices it could power. Picture driving your electric car into the garage and having the batteries begin to charge, without having to plug it in. You then step into your home and your cell phone and laptop sync up to the homes wireless power grid and begin charging. The bedside light in a bedroom can be placed anywhere in the room because it is not restricted by a cord. Your computer desk is no longer a spaghetti mess of wires hanging from the back, the same for your entertainment system and TV. The vacuum cleaner can be used throughout the entire house without ever having to change which socket the cord is in. A teacher can move around the desks, computers, or laptops and not have to be concerned with outplacement in the room. The list of what is possible, through the use of wireless electricity, goes on and on because we are so dependent on electricity. 

Considering the numerous benefits and the numerous devices this technology would affect it is still slow to catch on or to gain outside support. Thus far, the only motivating factors behind this technology have been avid scientist, students, and a small group of businesses that see the benefits of this technology. Marin Soljacic, a physicist and professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “suggests that before the spread of cell phones and laptops, there was little need for a wireless power source.” (Castelvecchi, 2007) Soljacic goes on to state that he began to think about wireless power because he would be awakened at night by his beeping cell phone needing charged. From this early problem Soljacic went on to demonstrate the actuality of wireless power by lighting a 60 watt bulb from 2 meters away.
Businesses are starting to see the possible benefits of wireless electricity. Over the past ten years there have been several start-up businesses that have begun to try and capitalize on this technology.

WiTricity is a small business, outside of Boston, founded in 2007 that is one of a couple of companies that are there. Another, founded in 2004, is a British technology firm Splashpower, which designed the Splashpad, which would power mobile devices placed on the pad. Unfortunately, Splashpower declared bankruptcy in 2008 without ever selling or producing a single item. This is an example of a technology not quite ready to be introduced into the mainstream market. Since then bigger companies are looking into the technology such as Palm, with a pad for wirelessly charging their cell phone, Pre. Fulton Innovations, Verizon Wireless, and Intel are a few of the bigger companies that are looking into this technology. With the spread of this technology into the bigger companies we can expect to see an increase in, not only, the number of devices using wireless energy, but a push to cut the cord and batteries out completely.

According to analyst Rob Enderle, speaking about Intel’s wireless power system. As WiFi did for wireless networks, so too can wireless power be for cutting the cord on our mobile devices. Where we now have hotspots for wireless connectivity we can have hotspots to charge devices. Airports, Starbucks, Libraries, Colleges, and other large locations that people gather in could all use this technology to attract more people, thus gaining more business. The benefit to consumers as well as to business is evident.

We cannot look into a new technology without considering the possible military applications. The primary role of wireless technology to the military would be in the use of electromagnetic radiation and/or lasers. Because of the tight control of a laser beam and the amount of energy inherent in the beam it can easily be used to overload an enemy’s electronics or power ground units from a geostationary satellite. Quick deployment of a single generator, then roll out a power pad beneath a tent or building, and power all devices in them without having to carry around all the copper wiring for each device. Ramp up the magnitude of power and wireless electrical power can be damaging to human beings, most notably in the form of lightning. As this technology continues to develop the applications of its use to the military, to businesses, to consumers will continue to evolve beyond what we can see for it today.
Our societies have become so used to wireless connectivity that the obvious migration from wireless connectivity to wireless power was bound to occur.

1. Legal Influences of Wireless Technology

The environmental and ethical impact of wireless energy should be fully explored before it is implemented for everyday use. The health considerations of the wireless power has been one of the primary assets towards the design as well as have the potential towards completely reinvent in the way hospitals, the medical implants, as well as the home care operate. This technology can also be implemented in the hospitals in the entire world towards eliminating the use of messy wires as well as unreliable batteries.