Skip to main content

Wireless charging is coming: Researchers juice up 40 smartphones from 5 meters away

farewell cords new tech can wirelessly charge 40 smartphones 5 meters away dcrs
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Researchers from KAIST in Daejeon, South Korea have managed to extend the reach of wireless power transfer technology, bringing us closer to a world where phone and tablet chargers are as obsolete as MC Hammer’s parachute pants. 

The new technology, called “Dipole Coil Resonant System (DCRS),” can charge up to 40 smartphones simultaneously from 5 meters away. The DCRS transfers electric power wirelessly through the use of transmitters and a specially designed coil structure.

The Dipole Coil Resonant System (DCRS) can charge up to 40 smartphones simultaneously from 5 meters away.

The new method improves on a 2007 experiment conducted by researchers from MIT. That concept, called WiTricity (as in wireless electricity), was used to wirelessly power a 60-watt light bulb from over 2 meters away. MIT researchers used a magnetic field to perform the wireless energy transfer. The technology generated enough electricity to power a laptop from across a room.

The KAIST team improved on the technical limitations of the MIT concept such as a complicated coil structure (there are four coils for input, transmission, reception and load), bulky resonant coils, low transfer efficiency and sensitivity to temperature, humidity and human proximity. At a length of 3 meters, the DCRS is also smaller than the MIT prototype. 

In a press release, Prof. Chun T. Rim of the Nuclear and Quantum Engineering department at KAIST outlined the workarounds his team use to improve on the MIT concept: “Our technology proved the possibility of a new remote power delivery mechanism that has never been tried at such a long distance. Although the long-range wireless power transfer is still in an early stage of commercialization and quite costly to implement, we believe that this is the right direction for electric power to be supplied in the future. Just like we see Wi-Fi zones everywhere today, we will eventually have many Wi-Power zones at such places as restaurants and streets that provide electric power wirelessly to electronic devices. We will use all the devices anywhere without tangled wires attached and anytime without worrying about charging their batteries.” 

In its current state, the DCRS is said to have the capability to power a large LED TV and three 40-watt fans from 5 meters away. The team has also tested the technology for applications in emergency situations. Last March, the DCRS was used for a research project at the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Company. It remotely powered equipment in the nuclear power plant as a response to a simulated emergency situation similar to the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan.

Editors' Recommendations

Christian Brazil Bautista
Christian Brazil Bautista is an experienced journalist who has been writing about technology and music for the past decade…
Belkin’s MagSafe Boost Charger Pro glams up the humble iPhone charging stand
Belkin Boost Charger Pro

Belkin is fully invested in MagSafe, the new charging technology introduced by Apple for the iPhone 12 series. It was the featured accessory brand on stage when Apple announced the tech itself, and the company has since announced several supported products. The latest is the Boost Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand, which uses MagSafe to transform the humble phone stand into something both more versatile, and more attractive.

MagSafe makes the Boost Charge Pro possible, because without a magnetic connection, the plinth would obviously not support your iPhone. Instead, MagSafe holds onto your phone at a perfect angle for watching videos or making video calls, all while charging. Because it doesn’t have any physical holder, swapping between landscape and portrait orientation is simple: Just twist your phone.

Read more
This top-rated Belkin Wireless Charger is $25 for Prime Day
belkin wireless charger deal prime day 2020

Sick of using and constantly replacing your cable chargers? Go wireless this Prime Day with this Belkin Wireless Charger now retailing for only $25 -- usually $40. This is one of the best wireless charger deals available this Prime Day so scoop up this deal as soon as you can. We don't anticipate this wireless charger seeing another drop in price anytime soon so Prime Day is your best bet at getting the Belkin Wireless Charger at such a low price.

The Belkin Wireless Charger is designed to work best with your iPhone with its 7.5W charging capabilities. That said, it can also support certain Android devices up to 5W. You won't even have to remove your smartphone's case, simply place it atop your charging pad and watch your mobile device power up quickly. There's also added thermal protection and a fanless design for quiet operation at all hours of the day. You'll also get an ac adapter with a 5-foot cord included making it easy to place your new wireless charger anywhere within your bedroom or home office. There's also a three-year warranty included with your product so you can always get it replaced if you get a faulty model.

Read more
Forget AirPods: These JBL true wireless earbuds are just $40 for Prime Day
woman wearing JBL earbuds

This year we’ve had to wait a bit longer for Prime Day deals, but from what we’ve seen so far, the deals were worth the wait. You are sure to see several Prime Day headphone deals from all leading manufacturers, but today, Amazon offers these JBL Tune 120TWS true wireless earbuds in white at an extremely low price. For just $40, you can get these wireless earbuds that are regularly priced at $100. This is a massive discount of 60%, and the deal won’t last long.

The JBL Tune 120TWS true wireless earbuds are Bluetooth compatible and feature a 5.8mm driver, which enables the JBL Pure Bass sound for your music. Not only for music, these earbuds also allow you to make and receive calls with the built-in microphone, listen to your favorite Podcast, or partake in a virtual meeting. The conveniently placed buttons allow you to switch from music to a call with ease. You can also connect your voice assistant with just the push of a button. These earbuds are perfect for people on the go of all ages.

Read more