Light a light bulb with no contact?

[BlackKnight]

Hi,

Is it possible to make a standard light bulb light without any physical contact to it (appart from support)?
I seem to remember seeing such an experiment, but can't remember the details.

Thanks

 

[ZapperZ]

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

Zz.

 

[Topher925]

Not that I recommend doing this, but if you can find a safe way to suspend a florescent light bulb near a high tension wire you will see it light up, even if the cathode is burnt out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_energy_transfer

 

[harvellt]

Japan has an official project to deploy orbiting solar panels and transfer the energy to Earth with lasers. Currently around 40% efficiency they are spending tons of cash on getting that number higher so that it could compete cost wise with more traditional electricity generation.

 

[sai_2008]

Not that I recommend doing this, but if you can find a safe way to suspend a florescent light bulb near a high tension wire you will see it light up, even if the cathode is burnt out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_energy_transfer

Or (I would not recommend it either :D) put the fluorescent bulb in a microwave oven..!
I will light up...although the metal parts might spark or arc off!
(Its dangerous to put metals in a microwave oven. Dont try this, but those who have
tried had demonstrated that they will bulb will light up).

 

[sai_2008]

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

Zz.

Hmm...Makes me wonder if the transmit power to light up the 60 W bulb was indeed 60W...:)

 

[VelociBlade]

If you could induce a electromagnetic field and put it in the field, the light bulb may light up. There is also the other methods mentioned above, although I would not recommend the powerline or the microwave for obvious reasons.