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Wireless power transfer via sound waves

Eavesdropper
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Meredith Perry (left) and Nora Dweck (right) with the uBeam prototype
 
Engineering as it is intended. Entrepreneurs, and recent University of Pennsylvania graduates as of May 2011, Meredith Perry and Nora Dweck  are currently contracting partners to manufacture their wireless power charging stations and battery adapters. The pair founded the company uBeam this year and demonstrated their proof of concept at the D9 tech conference. At which the team showed they could send 5V, 50 milliwatts, over 3 feet. The concept is ultrasonic power transfer. The idea was inspired after the team learned how sound could be used as a weapon, and the high volume of energy that can be focused in one direction. Perry stated that 25 watts could be sent over 10 feet.
 
The ultrasonic components are not off the shelf piezo speakers, but custom designs. The sound frequencies are far above human and animal hearing thresholds, so no constant barking dogs coming free with this product. The initial offering will be geared towards emulating 5V USB power. A consumer level and industrial charger base will give average and heavy duty use options. A possible future wireless charge option for public locations. The bases will be priced at $300 USD and the battery adapters set at $30.
 
No word on the overall efficiencies, scatter characteristics, or ambient sound effects on the system. The team is still in the R&D phase, but plan on a late 2011 launch.
 
I look forward to seeing the final product's features.
 
Eavesdropper
  • in reply to Former Member

    Timyoshi,

     

    You are correct, there are plenty of sonic weapons. At a high enough energy potential, all wireless forms of energy have to chance of causing serious damage to living tissue. But in this case, the energy levels are quite low, so I would not worry.

     

    Some Tinnitus sufferers are treated with low-powered ultrasound, so maybe this device will have the reverse effect?

     

    E

  • Interesting concept, However, I wish to point out that Ultrasonic sound whilst not being obviously

    noticable, high powers are damging to people and animals. My own experiance with ultrasonic bath cleaners is such that fingers will go numb in close proximity and Tinitus will set in if within 3 metre of high power source. No research has been done on this subject. In my opinion one should stay out of the room that the high power source in operating in.

    Tim de Paravicini. EAR Yoshino Ltd, UK.