| Aristeidis Karalis*, J.D. Joannopoulos, and Marin Soljačić
This paper presents a method for efficient wireless non-radiative mid-range energy transfer using resonant electromagnetic states with localized slowly-evanescent fields. The authors investigate whether such states can be used to transfer energy efficiently over non-negligible distances, even in the presence of extraneous objects. They show that through resonant coupling between two such states, energy can be efficiently transferred over medium-range distances, with only modest losses to other objects. The key to this efficiency is operating in a "strong coupling" regime, where the coupling rate is much faster than intrinsic loss rates.
The paper analyzes two types of resonant structures: dielectric disks and capacitively-loaded conducting-wire loops. For dielectric disks, high-quality resonant modes are achieved using materials with high permittivity and low loss. For conducting-wire loops, the resonant frequency is determined by the inductance and capacitance of the system, and high-quality factors are achieved through careful design.
The authors also examine the influence of extraneous objects on the energy transfer system. They find that the system is robust to the presence of such objects, especially when operating in the "strong coupling" regime. The efficiency of the energy transfer system is evaluated, showing that it can achieve high efficiency for practical applications, with power conversion rates exceeding 17%.
The paper concludes that the proposed method is promising for many modern applications, including wireless power transfer to robots, computers, and electric buses. It also suggests that the method could be extended to acoustic systems and that further research could explore enhanced performance through new materials and system designs.This paper presents a method for efficient wireless non-radiative mid-range energy transfer using resonant electromagnetic states with localized slowly-evanescent fields. The authors investigate whether such states can be used to transfer energy efficiently over non-negligible distances, even in the presence of extraneous objects. They show that through resonant coupling between two such states, energy can be efficiently transferred over medium-range distances, with only modest losses to other objects. The key to this efficiency is operating in a "strong coupling" regime, where the coupling rate is much faster than intrinsic loss rates.
The paper analyzes two types of resonant structures: dielectric disks and capacitively-loaded conducting-wire loops. For dielectric disks, high-quality resonant modes are achieved using materials with high permittivity and low loss. For conducting-wire loops, the resonant frequency is determined by the inductance and capacitance of the system, and high-quality factors are achieved through careful design.
The authors also examine the influence of extraneous objects on the energy transfer system. They find that the system is robust to the presence of such objects, especially when operating in the "strong coupling" regime. The efficiency of the energy transfer system is evaluated, showing that it can achieve high efficiency for practical applications, with power conversion rates exceeding 17%.
The paper concludes that the proposed method is promising for many modern applications, including wireless power transfer to robots, computers, and electric buses. It also suggests that the method could be extended to acoustic systems and that further research could explore enhanced performance through new materials and system designs.