Could Wireless Electricity Revolutionize Energy Use Without Health Risks?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the potential of wireless electricity to revolutionize energy use, particularly focusing on its feasibility for large-scale adoption and associated health risks. Participants explore theoretical implications, practical applications, and concerns regarding efficiency and safety.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express curiosity about the feasibility of wireless electricity and its potential health effects, particularly regarding microwave transmission from space.
  • Concerns are raised about the limitations of wireless power applications, suggesting that health issues may restrict its use to static components.
  • One participant doubts the efficiency of wireless electricity, citing multiple conversion losses and advocating for traditional wired connections as more practical.
  • Another participant notes the potential market for charging pads but questions their practicality due to the inconvenience of carrying necessary equipment, suggesting that long-distance power transmission may be inefficient.
  • Health concerns are discussed, with some participants asserting that low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power lines are safe, while microwaves pose more significant risks.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that health concerns and efficiency are significant issues in the discussion of wireless electricity. However, there are competing views on the practicality and safety of various wireless power applications, leaving the discussion unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the efficiency of wireless power transmission and the specific health risks associated with different frequencies of electromagnetic fields. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about technology and public perception.

DuncanM
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I came across an interesting story today and thought I would share it here.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/132/brilliant.html"

Neat stuff.

Although I do wonder, even if they get it working and feasible for large-scale adoption, would there be any adverse health affects? (I sometimes read articles in magazines like "Popular Mechanics" and "Popular Science" about how groups are considering producing power in space and beaming it down to Earth as microwaves. I don't think I'd feel comfortable living in a large microwave oven. Or being surrounded by RFID devices. Or living under power lines. etc.)
 
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DuncanM said:
I came across an interesting story today and thought I would share it here.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/132/brilliant.html"

Neat stuff.

Although I do wonder, even if they get it working and feasible for large-scale adoption, would there be any adverse health affects? (I sometimes read articles in magazines like "Popular Mechanics" and "Popular Science" about how groups are considering producing power in space and beaming it down to Earth as microwaves. I don't think I'd feel comfortable living in a large microwave oven. Or being surrounded by RFID devices. Or living under power lines. etc.)

MIT has been working on that for a while.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/techtalk51-30.pdf

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/wireless-0607.html

CS
 
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I think health concerns will be a major issue here and because of the necessity of some sort of power focussing any applications will be limited to static components.
 
I doubt the efficiency can ever be very high. There are losses in converting from AC-DC, DC-RF, coupling loss, RF-DC and maybe DC-AC.

Makes a lot more sense to just run a wire and have no conversions or just one; AC-DC.
 
Charging pads will no doubt be an expanding market, though I think a limited one because of one critical problem: people won't want to carry around the charging apparatus attached to their cell phone all the time. Power transmitted across the room to power a laptop computer? Never going to happen. It is far too inefficient and again, you'd need a couple of pounds of coils or a big dish attached to the back of your laptop for it to work at all.

For health concerns, low frequency EMF (power lines) have none. Microwaves obviously have some, particularly for the space-based power station idea.
 

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