Chinese scientists discover new way to boost wireless charging efficiency

Chinese scientists at the School of Electronic Engineering at Xidian University have discovered a new way to make wireless charging more efficient. 

A report on 26 December said the research team has successfully developed a prototype system based on dual-frequency metasurfaces for wireless energy transfer, sensing, positioning and communication, making charging better and easier.

Findings of the research have been published in the international academic journal, Nature Communications.

Wireless charging without bounds

Technology has seen a rapid growth recently, with aspects such as Internet of Things, smart homes, drones, and wearables seeing the most adoption. 

This entails the use of appliances and equipment that now leverage wireless charging. However, keeping those appliances charged using wireless technology has been a challenge.

Wireless charging technology is the most advanced way of charging devices such as phones and other smart devices. 

Unlike conventional charging which requires contact between the two devices via a wire charger, wireless charging requires no contact between the device and the power source. 

Up to this point however, wireless charging requires close proximity of the equipment to the power source, which is a major limitation. 

With the new technology, devices can be more easily charged through adaptive tracking of wireless energy transfer, meaning there is no need for proximity. 

Leader of the research team, Li Long said the technology can intelligently adjust the transmission parameters of electromagnetic waves in real time, depending on environmental changes and device requirements to optimize energy transfer efficiency. 

Unlike the traditional wireless charging technology, this new discovery can facilitate wireless charging of multiple terminal devices in motion, such as drones and smart robots, bringing great improvement to wireless charging. 

With this, users of smart devices have more flexibility with charging as no proximity is required and even moving devices can charge seamlessly.