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Wireless energy transfer or wireless power is the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without artificial interconnecting conductors . Wireless transmission is useful in cases where interconnecting wires are inconvenient, hazardous, or impossible. The problem of wireless power transmission differs from that of wireless telecommunications , such as radio . In the latter, the proportion of energy received becomes critical only if it is too low for the signal to be distinguished from the background noise . [1] With wireless power, efficiency is the more significant parameter. A large part of the energy sent out by the generating plant must arrive at the receiver or receivers to make the system economical. The most common form of wireless power transmission is carried out using direct induction followed by resonant magnetic induction . Other methods under consideration include electromagnetic radiation in the form of microwaves or lasers . [2] Electric energy transfer Main article: Coupling (electronics) An electric current flowing through a conductor carries electrical energy. When an electric current passes through a circuit there is an electric field in the dielectric surrounding the conductor; magnetic field lines around the conductor and lines of electric force radially about the conductor. [3] In a direct current circuit, if the current is continuous, the fields are constant; there is a condition of stress in the space surrounding the conductor, which represents stored electric and magnetic energy, just as a compressed spring or a moving mass represents stored energy. In an alternating current circuit, the fields also alternate; that is, with every half wave of current and of voltage, the magnetic and
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Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

Jul 29, 2015

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Page 1: Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

Wireless energy transfer or wireless power is the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without artificial interconnecting conductors. Wireless transmission is useful in cases where interconnecting wires are inconvenient, hazardous, or impossible. The problem of wireless power transmission differs from that of wireless telecommunications, such as radio. In the latter, the proportion of energy received becomes critical only if it is too low for the signal to be distinguished from the background noise.[1] With wireless power, efficiency is the more significant parameter.  A large part of the energy sent out by the generating plant must arrive at the receiver or receivers to make the system economical.

The most common form of wireless power transmission is carried out using direct induction followed by resonant magnetic induction. Other methods under consideration include electromagnetic radiation in the form of microwaves or lasers.[2]

Electric energy transfer

Main article: Coupling (electronics)

An electric current flowing through a conductor carries electrical energy.  When an electric current passes through a circuit there is an electric field in the dielectric surrounding the conductor; magnetic field lines around the conductor and lines of electric force radially about the conductor.[3]

In a direct current circuit, if the current is continuous, the fields are constant; there is a condition of stress in the space surrounding the conductor, which represents stored electric and magnetic energy, just as a compressed spring or a moving mass represents stored energy. In an alternating current circuit, the fields also alternate; that is, with every half wave of current and of voltage, the magnetic and the electric field start at the conductor and run outwards into space with the speed of light.[4] Where these alternating fields impinge on another conductor a voltage and a current are induced.[3]

Any change in the electrical conditions of the circuit, whether internal[5] or external[6] involves a readjustment of the stored magnetic and electric field energy of the circuit, that is, a so-called transient. A transient is of the general character of a condenser discharge through an inductive circuit. The phenomenon of the condenser discharge through an inductive circuit therefore is of the greatest importance to the engineer, as the foremost cause of high-voltage and high-frequency troubles in electric circuits.[7]

Electromagnetic induction is proportional to the intensity of the current and voltage in the conductor which produces the fields and to the frequency. The higher the frequency the more intense the induction effect. Energy is transferred from a conductor that produces the fields (the primary) to any conductor on which the fields impinge (the secondary). Part of the energy of the primary conductor passes inductively across space into secondary conductor and the energy decreases rapidly along the primary conductor. A high frequency current does not pass for long distances along a conductor but rapidly transfers its energy by induction to adjacent conductors. Higher induction resulting from

Page 2: Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

the higher frequency is the explanation of the apparent difference in the propagation of high frequency disturbances from the propagation of the low frequency power of alternating current systems. The higher the frequency the more preponderant become the inductive effects that transfer energy from circuit to circuit across space. The more rapidly the energy decreases and the current dies out along the circuit, the more local is the phenomenon.[3]

The flow of electric energy thus comprises phenomena inside of the conductor[8] and phenomena in the space outside of the conductor—the electric field—which, in a continuous current circuit, is a condition of steady magnetic and dielectric stress, and in an alternating current circuit is alternating, that is, an electric wave launched by the conductor[3] to become far-field electromagnetic radiation traveling through space with the speed of light.

In electric power transmission and distribution, the phenomena inside of the conductor are of main importance, and the electric field of the conductor is usually observed only incidentally.[9] Inversely, in the use of electric power for radio telecommunications it is only the electric and magnetic fields outside of the conductor, that is electromagnetic radiation, which is of importance in transmitting the message. The phenomenon in the conductor, the current in the launching structure, is not used.[3]

The electric charge displacement in the conductor produces a magnetic field and resultant lines of electric force. The magnetic field is a maximum in the direction concentric, or approximately so, to the conductor. That is, a ferromagnetic body[10] tends to set itself in a direction at right angles to the conductor. The electric field has a maximum in a direction radial, or approximately so, to the conductor. The electric field component tends in a direction radial to the conductor and dielectric bodies may be attracted or repelled radially to the conductor.[11]

The electric field of a circuit over which energy flows has three main axes at right angles with each other:

1. The magnetic field, concentric with the conductor.2. The lines of electric force, radial to the conductor.3. The power gradient, parallel to the conductor.

Where the electric circuit consists of several conductors, the electric fields of the conductors superimpose upon each other, and the resultant magnetic field lines and lines of electric force are not concentric and radial respectively, except approximately in the immediate neighborhood of the conductor. Between parallel conductors they are conjugate of circles. Neither the power consumption in the conductor, nor the magnetic field, nor the electric field, are proportional to the flow of energy through the circuit. However, the product of the intensity of the magnetic field and the intensity of the electric field is proportional to the flow of energy or the power, and the power is therefore resolved into a product of the two components i and e, which are chosen proportional respectively to the intensity of the magnetic field and of the electric field.

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The component called the current is defined as that factor of the electric power which is proportional to the magnetic field, and the other component, called the voltage, is defined as that factor of the electric power which is proportional to the electric field.[11]

In radio telecommunications the electric field of the transmit antenna propagates through space as a radio wave and impinges upon the receive antenna where it is observed by its magnetic and electric effect.[11] Radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X rays and gamma rays are shown to be the same electromagnetic radiation phenomenon, differing one from the other only in frequency of vibration.[3][12]

[edit] Electromagnetic induction

Energy transfer by electromagnetic induction is typically magnetic but capacitive coupling can also be achieved.

[edit] Electrodynamic induction method

Main articles: Inductive coupling, Electrodynamic induction, and Resonant inductive coupling

The electrodynamic induction wireless transmission technique is near field over distances up to about one-sixth of the wavelength used. Near field energy itself is non-radiative but some radiative losses do occur. In addition there are usually resistive losses. With electrodynamic induction, electric current flowing through a primary coil creates a magnetic field that acts on a secondary coil producing a current within it. Coupling must be tight in order to achieve high efficiency. As the distance from the primary is increased, more and more of the magnetic field misses the secondary. Even over a relatively short range the inductive coupling is grossly inefficient, wasting much of the transmitted energy.[13]

This action of an electrical transformer is the simplest form of wireless power transmission. The primary and secondary circuits of a transformer are not directly connected. Energy transfer takes place through a process known as mutual induction. Principal functions are stepping the primary voltage either up or down and electrical isolation. Mobile phone and electric toothbrush battery chargers, and electrical power distribution transformers are examples of how this principle is used. Induction cookers use this method. The main drawback to this basic form of wireless transmission is short range. The receiver must be directly adjacent to the transmitter or induction unit in order to efficiently couple with it.

The application of resonance increases the transmission range somewhat. When resonant coupling is used, the transmitter and receiver inductors are tuned to the same natural frequency. Performance can be further improved by modifying the drive current from a sinusoidal to a nonsinusoidal transient waveform.[14] Pulse power transfer occurs over multiple cycles. In this way significant power may be transmitted between two mutually-attuned LC circuits having a relatively low coefficient of coupling. Transmitting and

Page 4: Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

receiving coils are usually single layer solenoids or flat spirals with series capacitors, which, in combination, allow the receiving element to be tuned to the transmitter frequency.

Common uses of resonance-enhanced electrodynamic induction are charging the batteries of portable devices such as laptop computers and cell phones, medical implants and electric vehicles.[15][16][17] A localized charging technique[18] selects the appropriate transmitting coil in a multilayer winding array structure.[19] Resonance is used in both the wireless charging pad (the transmitter circuit) and the receiver module (embedded in the load) to maximize energy transfer efficiency. This approach is suitable for universal wireless charging pads for portable electronics such as mobile phones. It has been adopted as part of the Qi wireless charging standard.

It is also used for powering devices having no batteries, such as RFID patches and contactless smartcards, and to couple electrical energy from the primary inductor to the helical resonator of Tesla coil wireless power transmitters.

Electrostatic induction method

Main article: Capacitive coupling

The Tesla effect[20][21][22] is shown with the illumination of two exhausted tubes by means of a powerful, rapidly alternating electrostatic field created between two vertical metal sheets suspended from the ceiling on insulating cords. It utilizes the physics of electrostatic induction.

Electrostatic or capacitive coupling is the passage of electrical energy through a dielectric. In practice it is an electric field gradient or differential capacitance between two or more insulated terminals, plates, electrodes, or nodes that are elevated over a conducting ground plane. The electric field is created by charging the plates with a high potential, high frequency alternating current power supply. The capacitance between two elevated terminals and a powered device form a voltage divider.

The electric energy transmitted by means of electrostatic induction can be utilized by a receiving device, such as a wireless lamp.[23][24][25] Tesla demonstrated the illumination of wireless lamps by energy that was coupled to them through an alternating electric field.[26]

[27][20]

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"Instead of depending on electrodynamic induction at a distance to light the tube . . . [the] ideal way of lighting a hall or room would . . . be to produce such a condition in it that an illuminating device could be moved and put anywhere, and that it is lighted, no matter where it is put and without being electrically connected to anything. I have been able to produce such a condition by creating in the room a powerful, rapidly alternating electrostatic field. For this purpose I suspend a sheet of metal a distance from the ceiling on insulating cords and connect it to one terminal of the induction coil, the other terminal being preferably connected to the ground. Or else I suspend two sheets . . . each sheet being connected with one of the terminals of the coil, and their size being carefully determined. An exhausted tube may then be carried in the hand anywhere between the sheets or placed anywhere, even a certain distance beyond them; it remains always luminous."[28]

The principle of electrostatic induction is applicable to the electrical conduction wireless transmission method.

“In some cases when small amounts of energy are required the high elevation of the terminals, and more particularly of the receiving-terminal D', may not be necessary, since, especially when the frequency of the currents is very high, a sufficient amount of energy may be collected at that terminal by electrostatic induction from the upper air strata, which are rendered conducting by the active terminal of the transmitter or through which the currents from the same are conveyed."[29]

[edit] Electromagnetic radiation

Far field methods achieve longer ranges, often multiple kilometer ranges, where the distance is much greater than the diameter of the device(s). The main reason for longer ranges with radio wave and optical devices is the fact that electromagnetic radiation in the far-field can be made to match the shape of the receiving area (using high directivity antennas or well-collimated Laser Beam) thereby delivering almost all emitted power at long ranges. The maximum directivity for antennas is physically limited by diffraction.

[edit] Beamed power, size, distance, and efficiency

The size of the components may be dictated by the distance from transmitter to receiver, the wavelength and the Rayleigh criterion or diffraction limit, used in standard radio frequency antenna design, which also applies to lasers. In addition to the Rayleigh criterion Airy's diffraction limit is also frequently used to determine an approximate spot size at an arbitrary distance from the aperture.

The Rayleigh criterion dictates that any radio wave, microwave or laser beam will spread and become weaker and diffuse over distance; the larger the transmitter antenna or laser aperture compared to the wavelength of radiation, the tighter the beam and the less it will spread as a function of distance (and vice versa). Smaller antennae also suffer from

Page 6: Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

excessive losses due to side lobes. However, the concept of laser aperture considerably differs from an antenna. Typically, a laser aperture much larger than the wavelength induces multi-moded radiation and mostly collimators are used before emitted radiation couples into a fiber or into space.

Ultimately, beamwidth is physically determined by diffraction due to the dish size in relation to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation used to make the beam. Microwave power beaming can be more efficient than lasers, and is less prone to atmospheric attenuation caused by dust or water vapor losing atmosphere to vaporize the water in contact.

Then the power levels are calculated by combining the above parameters together, and adding in the gains and losses due to the antenna characteristics and the transparency and dispersion[disambiguation needed  ] of the medium through which the radiation passes. That process is known as calculating a link budget.

[edit] Microwave method

Main article: Microwave power transmission

An artist's depiction of a solar satellite that could send electric energy by microwaves to a space vessel or planetary surface.

Power transmission via radio waves can be made more directional, allowing longer distance power beaming, with shorter wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, typically in the microwave range. A rectenna may be used to convert the microwave energy back into electricity. Rectenna conversion efficiencies exceeding 95% have been realized. Power beaming using microwaves has been proposed for the transmission of energy from orbiting solar power satellites to Earth and the beaming of power to spacecraft leaving orbit has been considered.[2][30]

Power beaming by microwaves has the difficulty that for most space applications the required aperture sizes are very large due to diffraction limiting antenna directionality. For example, the 1978 NASA Study of solar power satellites required a 1-km diameter transmitting antenna, and a 10 km diameter receiving rectenna, for a microwave beam at 2.45 GHz[citation needed]. These sizes can be somewhat decreased by using shorter wavelengths, although short wavelengths may have difficulties with atmospheric absorption and beam blockage by rain or water droplets. Because of the "thinned array

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curse," it is not possible to make a narrower beam by combining the beams of several smaller satellites.

For earthbound applications a large area 10 km diameter receiving array allows large total power levels to be used while operating at the low power density suggested for human electromagnetic exposure safety. A human safe power density of 1 mW/cm2 distributed across a 10 km diameter area corresponds to 750 megawatts total power level. This is the power level found in many modern electric power plants.

Following World War II, which saw the development of high-power microwave emitters known as cavity magnetrons, the idea of using microwaves to transmit power was researched. By 1964 a miniature helicopter propelled by microwave power had been demonstrated.[31]

Japanese researcher Hidetsugu Yagi also investigated wireless energy transmission using a directional array antenna that he designed. In February 1926, Yagi and Uda published their first paper on the tuned high-gain directional array now known as the Yagi antenna. While it did not prove to be particularly useful for power transmission, this beam antenna has been widely adopted throughout the broadcasting and wireless telecommunications industries due to its excellent performance characteristics.[32]

Wireless high power transmission using microwaves is well proven. Experiments in the tens of kilowatts have been performed at Goldstone in California in 1975[33][34][35] and more recently (1997) at Grand Bassin on Reunion Island.[36] These methods achieve distances on the order of a kilometer.

[edit] Laser method

With a laser beam centered on its panel of photovoltaic cells, a lightweight model plane makes the first flight of an aircraft powered by a laser beam inside a building at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

In the case of electromagnetic radiation closer to visible region of spectrum (10s of microns (um) to 10s of nm), power can be transmitted by converting electricity into a laser beam that is then pointed at a solar cell receiver. This mechanism is generally

Page 8: Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

known as "powerbeaming" because the power is beamed at a receiver that can convert it to usable electrical energy.

Advantages of laser based energy transfer compared with other wireless methods are:[37]

1. collimated monochromatic wavefront propagation allows narrow beam cross-section area for energy transmission over large ranges.

2. compact size of solid state lasers-photovoltaics semiconductor diodes fit into small products.

3. no radio-frequency interference to existing radio communication such as Wi-fi and cell phones.

4. control of access; only receivers illuminated by the laser receive power.

Its drawbacks are:

1. Conversion to light, such as with a laser, is inefficient2. Conversion back into electricity is inefficient, with photovoltaic cells achieving

40%-50% efficiency.[38] (Note that conversion efficiency is rather higher with monochromatic light than with insolation of solar panels).

3. Atmospheric absorption causes losses.4. As with microwave beaming, this method requires a direct line of sight with the

target.

The laser "powerbeaming" technology has been mostly explored in military weapons [39] [40] [41] and aerospace [42] [43] applications and is now being developed for commercial and consumer electronics Low-Power applications. Wireless energy transfer system using laser for consumer space has to satisfy Laser safety requirements standardized under IEC 60825.

To develop an understanding of the trade-offs of Laser ("a special type of light wave"-based system):[44][45][46][47]

1. Propagation of a laser beam [48] [49] [50] (on how Laser beam propagation is much less affected by diffraction limits)

2. Coherence and the range limitation problem (on how spatial and spectral coherence characteristics of Lasers allows better distance-to-power capabilities[51])

3. Airy disk (on how wavelength fundamentally dictates the size of a disk with distance)

4. Applications of laser diodes (on how the laser sources are utilized in various industries and their sizes are reducing for better integration)

Geoffrey Landis [52] [53] [54] is one of the pioneers of solar power satellite [55] and laser-based transfer of energy especially for space and lunar missions. The continuously increasing demand for safe and frequent space missions has resulted in serious thoughts on a futuristic space elevator [56] [57] that would be powered by lasers. NASA's space elevator would need wireless power to be beamed to it for it to climb a tether.[58]

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NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center has demonstrated flight of a lightweight unmanned model plane powered by a laser beam.[59] This proof-of-concept demonstrates the feasibility of periodic recharging using the laser beam system and the lack of need to return to ground.

"Lasermotive" demonstrated laser powerbeaming at one kilometer during NASA's 2009 powerbeaming contest. Also "Lighthouse DEV" (a spin off of NASA Power Beaming Team) along with "University of Maryland" is developing an eye safe laser system to power a small UAV. Since 2006, "PowerBeam" which originally invented the eye-safe technology and holds all crucial patents in this technology space, is developing commercially ready units for various consumer and industrial electronic products.[60][61]

[edit] Electrical conduction

Main article: World Wireless System

The Tesla coil wireless power transmitterU.S. Patent 1,119,732

Means for long conductors of electricity forming part of an electric circuit and electrically connecting said ionized beam to an electric circuit. Hettinger 1917 -(U.S. Patent 1,309,031)

[edit] Disturbed charge of ground and air method

Page 10: Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

Single wire with Earth return electrical power transmission systems rely on current flowing through the earth plus a single wire insulated from the earth to complete the circuit. In emergencies high-voltage direct current power transmission systems can also operate in the 'single wire with earth return' mode. Elimination of the raised insulated wire, and transmission of high-potential, high-frequency alternating current through the earth with an atmospheric return circuit has been investigated as a method of wireless electrical power transmission. Transmission of electrical energy through the earth alone, eliminating the second conductor is also being investigated.

Low frequency alternating current can be transmitted through the inhomogeneous earth with low loss because the net resistance between earth antipodes is considerably less than 1 ohm.[62] The electrical displacement takes place predominantly by electrical conduction through the oceans, and metallic ore bodies and similar subsurface structures. The electrical displacement is also by means of electrostatic induction through the more dielectric regions such as quartz deposits and other non-conducting minerals.[63][64]

Alternating current can be transmitted through atmospheric strata having a barometric pressure of less than 135 millimeters of mercury.[65] Current flows by means of electrostatic induction through the lower atmosphere up to about two or three miles above the plants[66] (this is the middle part in a three-space model) and the flow of ions, that is to say, electrical conduction through the ionized region above three miles.  Intense vertical beams of ultraviolet light may be used to ionize the atmospheric gasses directly above the two elevated terminals resulting in the formation of plasma high-voltage electrical transmission lines leading up to the conducting atmospheric strata.  The end result is a flow electrical current between the two elevated terminals by a path up to and through the troposphere and back down to the other facility.[67]  Electrical conduction through atmospheric strata is made possible by the creation of capacitively coupled discharge plasma through the process of atmospheric ionization.[68][69][70][71]

[edit] Terrestrial transmission line with atmospheric return

Tesla discovered that electrical energy can be transmitted through the earth and the atmosphere. In the course of his research he successfully lit lamps at moderate distances and was able to detect the transmitted energy at much greater distances. The Wardenclyffe Tower project was a commercial venture for trans-Atlantic wireless telephony and proof-of-concept demonstrations of global wireless power transmission. The facility was not completed because of insufficient funding.[72]

Earth is a naturally conducting body and forms one conductor of the system. A second path is established through the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere starting at an elevation of approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km).[73]

A global system for "the transmission of electrical energy without wires" called the World Wireless System, dependent upon the high electrical conductivity of plasma and the high electrical conductivity of the earth, was proposed as early as 1904.[74][75]

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[edit] Terrestrial single-conductor surface wave transmission lineMain article: Single-wire transmission line

The same transmitter used for the atmospheric conduction method is used for the terrestrial single-conductor earth resonance method.[76][77]

The fundamental earth resonance frequency is claimed to be approximately 11.78 Hz.[78] With the earth resonance method some harmonic of this fundamental frequency is used.[79] "I would say that the frequency should be smaller than twenty thousand per second, through shorter waves might be practicable"[80][81][82] and on the low end, "a frequency of nine hundred and twenty-five per second" is used, "when it is indispensable to operate motors of the ordinary kind."[73]

Observations have been made that may be inconsistent with a basic tenet of physics related to the scalar derivatives of the electromagnetic potentials[83][84][85][86][87][88][89] that are presently considered to be nonphysical.[90]

[edit] Timeline of wireless power

1820: André-Marie Ampère develops Ampere’s law showing that electric current produces a magnetic field.

1831: Michael Faraday develops Faraday’s law of induction describing the electromagnetic force induced in a conductor by a time-varying magnetic flux.

1836: Nicholas Callan invents the electrical transformer. 1864: James Clerk Maxwell synthesizes the previous observations, experiments

and equations of electricity, magnetism and optics into a consistent theory and mathematically models the behavior of electromagnetic radiation.

1888: Heinrich Rudolf Hertz confirms the existence of electromagnetic radiation. Hertz’s "apparatus for generating electromagnetic waves" was a VHF or UHF "radio wave" spark gap transmitter.

1891: Tesla improves Hertz-wave wireless transmitter RF power supply or exciter in his patent No. 454,622, "System of Electric Lighting."

1893: Tesla demonstrates the wireless illumination of phosphorescent lamps of his design at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.[91]

1893: Tesla publicly demonstrates wireless power before a meeting of the National Electric Light Association in St. Louis.[25][92][93]

1894: Tesla lights incandescent lamps wirelessly at the 35 South Fifth Avenue laboratory in New York City by means of "electro-dynamic induction" or resonant inductive coupling.[94][95][96]

1894: Hutin & LeBlanc, espouse long held view that inductive energy transfer should be possible, they received U.S. Patent # 527,857 describing a system for power transmission at 3 kHz.[97]

1894: Jagdish Chandra Bose ignites gunpowder and rings a bell at a distance using electromagnetic waves, showing that communications signals can be sent without using wires.[98][99]

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1896: Tesla demonstrates wireless transmission over a distance of about 48 kilometres (30 mi).[100]

1897: Tesla files his first patent application dealing specifically with wireless transmission.

1899: Tesla continues his wireless power transmission research in Colorado Springs and writes, "the inferiority of the induction method would appear immense as compared with the disturbed charge of ground and air method."[101]

1902: Nikola Tesla vs. Reginald Fessenden - U.S. Patent Interference No. 21,701, System of Signaling (wireless); wireless power transmission, time and frequency domain spread spectrum telecommunications, electronic logic gates in general.[102]

1904: At the St. Louis World's Fair, a prize is offered for a successful attempt to drive a 0.1 horsepower (75 W) airship motor by energy transmitted through space at a distance of at least 100 feet (30 m).[103]

1916: Tesla states, "In my [disturbed charge of ground and air] system, you should free yourself of the idea that there is [electromagnetic] radiation, that energy is radiated. It is not radiated; it is conserved."[104]

1917: Tesla's Wardenclyffe tower is demolished. . . .

1926: Shintaro Uda and Hidetsugu Yagi publish their first paper on Uda's "tuned high-gain directional array"[32] better known as the Yagi antenna.

1961: William C. Brown publishes an article exploring possibilities of microwave power transmission.[105][106]

1964: Brown demonstrates on CBS News with Walter Cronkite a model helicopter that receives all of the power needed for flight from a microwave beam. Between 1969 and 1975, Brown is technical director of a JPL Raytheon program that beams 30 kW over a distance of 1600 meters (1 mile) at 84% efficiency.[citation

needed]

1968: Peter Glaser proposes wirelessly transmitting solar energy captured in space using "Powerbeaming" technology.[107][108] This is usually recognized as the first description of a solar power satellite.

1971: Prof. Don Otto develops a small trolley powered by induction at The University of Auckland, in New Zealand.[citation needed]

1973: The world's first passive RFID system is demonstrated at Los-Alamos National Lab.[109]

1975: Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex does experiments in the tens of kilowatts.[33][34][35]

1988: A power electronics group led by Prof. John Boys at The University of Auckland in New Zealand, develops an inverter using novel engineering materials and power electronics and conclude that power transmission by means of electrodynamic induction should be achievable. A first prototype for a contact-less power supply is built. Auckland Uniservices, the commercial company of The University of Auckland, patents the technology.[citation needed]

1989: Daifuku, a Japanese company, engages Auckland Uniservices Ltd. to develop technology for car assembly plants and materials handling providing challenging technical requirements including multiplicity of vehicles.[citation needed]

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1990: Prof. John Boys team develops novel technology enabling multiple vehicles to run on the same inductive power loop and provide independent control of each vehicle. Auckland UniServices Patents the technology.[citation needed]

1996: Auckland Uniservices develops an Electric Bus power system using electrodynamic induction to charge (30-60 kW) opportunistically commencing implementation in New Zealand. Prof John Boys Team commission 1st commercial IPT Bus in the world at Whakarewarewa, in New Zealand.[citation needed]

1998: RFID tags are powered by electrodynamic induction over a few feet. 1999: Dr. Herbert L. Becker powers a lamp and a hand held fan from a distance of

30 feet.[citation needed]

1999: Prof. Shu Yuen (Ron) Hui and Mr. S.C. Tang file a patent on "Coreless Printed-Circuit-Board (PCB) transformers and operating techniques", which form the basis for future planar charging surface with "vertical flux" leaving the planar surface. The circuit uses resonant circuits for wireless power transfer. EP(GB)0935263B

2000: Prof. Shu Yuen (Ron) Hui invent a planar wireless charging pad using the "vertical flux" approach and resonant power transfer for charging portable consumer electronic products. A patent is filed on "Apparatus and method of an inductive battery charger,” PCT Patent PCT/AU03/00 721, 2000.

2000: Based on the coreless PCB transformer developed by Prof. Ron Hui, Prof. B. Choi and his team at Kyungpook National University publish a paper on “A new contactless battery charger for portable telecommunication/computing electronics,” in Proc. ICCE’00 Int. Conf. Consumer Electron., 2000, pp. 58–59. The coreless PCB transformer is used to wirelessly charge a mobile phone.

2001 Prof. Shu Yuen (Ron) Hui and Dr. S.C. Tang file a patent on "Planar Printed-Circuit-Board Transformers with Effective Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding". The EM shield consists of a thin layer of ferrite and a thin layer of copper sheet. It enables the underneath of the future wireless charging pads to be shielded with a thin EM shield structure with thickness of typically 0.7mm or less. Patent: US6,501,364.

2001: Prof. Ron Hui's team demonstrate that the coreless PCB transformer can transmit power close to 100W in ‘A low-profile low-power converter with coreless PCB isolation transformer, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Volume: 16 Issue: 3 , May 2001. A team of Philips Research Center Aachen, led by Dr. Eberhard Waffenschmidt, use it to power an 100W lighting device in their paper "Size advantage of coreless transformers in the MHz range" in the European Power Electronics Conference in Graz.

2001: Splashpower formed in the UK. Uses coupled resonant coils in a flat "pad" style to transfer tens of watts into a variety of consumer devices, including lamp, phone, PDA, iPod etc.[citation needed]

2002: Prof. Shu Yuen (Ron) Hui extends the planar wireless charging pad concept using the vertical flux approach to incorporate free-positioning feature for multiple loads. This is achieved by using a multilayer planar winding array structure. Patent were granted as "Planar Inductive Battery Charger", GB2389720 and GB 2389767.

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2004: Electrodynamic induction used by 90 percent of the US$1 billion clean room industry for materials handling equipment in semiconductor, LCD and plasma screen manufacture.[citation needed]

2005: Prof. Shu Yuen (Ron) Hui and Dr. W.C. Ho publish their work in the IEEE Transactions on a planar wireless charging platform with free-positioning feature. The planar wireless charging pad is able to charge several loads simultaneously on a flat surface.

2005: Prof Boys' team at The University of Auckland, refines 3-phase IPT Highway and pick-up systems allowing transmission of power to moving vehicles in the lab.[citation needed]

2007: A localized charging technique is reported by Dr. Xun Liu and Prof. Ron Hui for the wireless charging pad with free-positioning feature. With the aid of the double-layer EM shields enclosing the transmitter and receiver coils, the localized charging selects the right transmitter coil so as to minimize flux leakage and human exposure to radiation.

2007: Using electrodynamic induction a physics research group, led by Prof. Marin Soljacic, at MIT, wirelessly power a 60W light bulb with 40% efficiency at a 2 metres (6.6 ft) distance with two 60 cm-diameter coils.[110]

2008: Bombardier offers a new wireless power transmission product PRIMOVE, a system for use on trams and light-rail vehicles.[111]

2008: Industrial designer Thanh Tran, at Brunel University make a wireless lamp incorporating a high efficiency 3W LED.[citation needed]

2008: Intel reproduces Tesla's original 1894 implementation of electrodynamic induction and Prof. John Boys group's 1988 follow-up experiments by wirelessly powering a nearby light bulb with 75% efficiency.[112]

2008: Greg Leyh and Mike Kennan of the Nevada Lightning Laboratory publish a paper on Tesla's disturbed charge of ground and air method of wireless power transmission with circuit simulations and test results showing an efficiency greater than can be obtained using the electrodynamic induction method.[113]

2009: Palm (now a division HP) launches the Palm Pre smartphone with the Palm Touchstone wireless charger.

2009: A Consortium of interested companies called the Wireless Power Consortium announce they are nearing completion for a new industry standard for low-power (which is eventually published in August 2010). inductive charging [114]

2009: An Ex approved Torch and Charger aimed at the offshore market is introduced.[115] This product is developed by Wireless Power & Communication, a Norway based company.

2009: A simple analytical electrical model of electrodynamic induction power transmission is proposed and applied to a wireless power transfer system for implantable devices.[116]

2009: Lasermotive uses diode laser to win $900k NASA prize in power beaming, breaking several world records in power and distance, by transmitting over a kilowatt more than several hundred meters.[117]

2009: Sony shows a wireless electrodynamic-induction powered TV set, 60 W over 50 cm[118]

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2010: Haier Group debuts “the world's first” completely wireless LCD television at CES 2010 based on Prof. Marin Soljacic's follow-up research on Tesla's electrodynamic induction wireless energy transmission method and the Wireless Home Digital Interface (WHDI).[119]

2010: System On Chip (SoC) group in University of British Columbia develops an optimization tool for the design of highly efficient wireless power transmission systems using multiple coils. The design is optimized for implantable applications and power transfer efficiency of 82% is achieved.[120]

[edit] See also

energy portal

Beam-powered propulsion Beam Power Challenge — one of the NASA Centennial Challenges Distributed generation Electricity distribution Electric power transmission Transmission medium Microwave power transmission Friis transmission equation Thinned array curse Resonant inductive coupling Differential capacitance Wardenclyffe Tower Electromagnetic compatibility

[edit] Further reading

Books Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. (2011). Fundamentals of physics.

Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Hu, A. P. (2009). Wireless/Contactless power supply: Inductively coupled

resonant converter solutions. Saarbrücken, Germany: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller. Anderson, Leland I. (2002). NIKOLA TESLA ON HIS WORK WITH

ALTERNATING CURRENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION TO WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY, TELEPHONY AND TRANSMISSION OF POWER   : An Extended Interview, Tesla Presents Series, Part 1. 21st Century Books.

Valone, T. (2002). Harnessing the wheelwork of nature: Tesla's science of energy. Kempton, Ill: Adventure Unlimited Press.

General Electric Co. (1915). General Electric review, Volume 18. "Wireless Transmission of Energy" By Elihu Thomson. General Electric Company, Lynn. (ed. Lecture by Professor Thomson, National Electric Light Association, New York.)

Steinmetz, C. P. (1914). Elementary lectures on electric discharges, waves and impulses, and other transients. New York: McGraw-Hill book co., inc.

Page 16: Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

Louis Cohen (1913). Formulae and tables for the calculation of alternating current problems. McGraw-Hill.

Kennelly, A. E. (1912). The application of hyperbolic functions to electrical engineering problems: Being the subject of a course of lectures delivered before the University of London in May and June 1911. London: University of London Press.

Orlich, E. M. (1912). Die Theorie der Wechselströme. Fleming, J. A. (1911). Propagation of electric currents in telephone & telegraph

conductors. New York: Van Nostrand. Franklin, W. S. (1909). Electric waves: An advanced treatise on alternating-

current theory. New York: Macmillan Co.

Patents U.S. Patent 4,955,562 , Microwave powered aircraft, John E. Martin, et al. (1990). U.S. Patent 3,933,323 , Solid state solar to microwave energy converter system

and apparatus, Kenneth W. Dudley, et al. (1976). U.S. Patent 3,535,543 , Microwave power receiving antenna, Carroll C. Dailey

(1970). U.S. Patent 685,958 , Method of Utilizing Radiant Energy, Nikola Tesla (1901). U.S. Patent 685,957 , Apparatus for the Utilization of Radiant Energy, Nikola

Tesla (1901). U.S. Patent 649,621 , Apparatus for Transmission of Electrical Energy, Nikola

Tesla (1900).

[edit] References

1. ̂ A radio transmitter can produce waves having a power of several kilowatts or even megawatts but this energy scatters in all directions. Only a small fraction, less than a millionth part, of the transmitted energy is received. However, this is sufficient to yield the intelligence.

2. ^ a b G. A. Landis, "Applications for Space Power by Laser Transmission," SPIE Optics, Electro-optics & Laser Conference, Los Angeles CA, January 24–28, 1994; Laser Power Beaming, SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2121, 252-255.

3. ^ a b c d e f General Electric review, Volume 15 By General Electric. "Velocity of Propagation of Electric Field", Charles Proteus Steinmetz

4. ̂ 188,000 miles per second5. ̂ Such as an internal change of load, starting and switching operations,

and short circuits.6. ̂ Such as the external change due to lightning.7. ̂ Charles Steinmetz (Fellow, A. I. E. E. Chief Consulting Engineer,

General Electric Company, Schenectady, N. Y.). "Condenser Discharge Through a General Gas Circuit". American Institute of Electrical Engineers., 1922. Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. New York: American Institute of Electrical Engineers. Presented at the 10th Midwinter Convention of the A. I. E. E., New York, N. Y., February 15–17, 1922.

Page 17: Wireless Energy Transfer or Wireless Power is the Transmission of Electrical Energy From a Power Source to an Electrical Load Without Artificial Interconnecting Conductors

8. ̂ viz., the dissipation of electric energy by the resistance of the conductor through its conversion into heat;

9. ̂ Such as when it gives trouble by induction in telephone circuits or when it reaches such high intensities as to puncture insulation, cause mechanical motion, etc.

10. ̂ such as an iron needle.11. ^ a b c Theory and calculation of transient electric phenomena and

oscillations By Charles Proteus Steinmetz12. ̂ Speculation was made as to what the electric wave was, leading to the

contradictory deductions that for certain reasons space is considered as a gas of infinitely low density, and for certain others as a solid.

13. ̂ Dave Baarman and Joshua Schwannecke (2009-12-00). "Understanding Wireless Power". http://ecoupled.com/pdf/eCoupled_Understanding_Wireless_Power.pdf.

14. ̂ Steinmetz, Charles Proteus (2008-08-29). Steinmetz, Dr. Charles Proteus, Elementary Lectures on Electric Discharges, Waves, and Impulses, and Other Transients, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1914. Books.google.com. http://books.google.com/?id=Q_ltAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22Elementary+Lectures+on+Electric+Discharges,+Waves,+and+Impulses%22&printsec=frontcover. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

15. ̂ "Wireless charging, Adaptor die, Mar 5th 2009". Economist.com. 2008-11-07. http://www.economist.com/science/tq/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13174387. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

16. ̂ Buley, Taylor (2009-01-09). "Wireless technologies are starting to power devices, 01.09.09, 06:25 PM EST". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/09/ces-wireless-power-tech-sciences-cx_tb_0109power.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

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18. ̂ Patent Application PCT/CN2008/072885519. ̂ Patent US716425520. ^ a b Norrie, H. S., "Induction Coils: How to make, use, and repair them".

Norman H. Schneider, 1907, New York. 4th edition.21. ̂ Electrical experimenter, January 1919. pg. 61522. ̂ Tesla: Man Out of Time By Margaret Cheney. Page 17423. ̂ Experiments with Alternate Currents of Very High Frequency and Their

Application to Methods of Artificial Illumination, AIEE, Columbia College, N.Y., May 20, 1891

24. ̂ Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency, IEE Address, London, February 1892

25. ^ a b "On Light and Other High Frequency Phenomena, Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, February 1893, and National Electric Light Association, St. Louis, March 1893

26. ̂ Gernsback, Hugo. "Nikola Tesla and His Achievements," Electrical Experimenter, January 1919. p. 615

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27. ̂ Cheney, Margaret. Tesla: Man Out of Time, p. 17428. ̂ Martin, T. C., & Tesla, N. (1894). Inventions, Researches and Writings

of Nikola Tesla, with special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting. New York: The Electrical Engineer. Page 188.

29. ̂ Systems of Transmission of Electrical Energy, U.S. Patent No. 645,576, March 20, 1900.

30. ̂ G. Landis, M. Stavnes, S. Oleson and J. Bozek, "Space Transfer With Ground-Based Laser/Electric Propulsion" (AIAA-92-3213) NASA Technical Memorandum TM-106060 (1992).

31. ̂ Experimental Airborne Microwave Supported Platform Descriptive Note : Final rept. Jun 64-Apr 65

32. ^ a b "Scanning the Past: A History of Electrical Engineering from the Past, Hidetsugu Yagi". Ieee.cincinnati.fuse.net. http://ieee.cincinnati.fuse.net/reiman/05_2004.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

33. ^ a b "Space Solar Energy Initiative". Space Island Group. http://www.spaceislandgroup.com/solarspace.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

34. ^ a b Wireless Power Transmission for Solar Power Satellite (SPS) (Second Draft by N. Shinohara), Space Solar Power Workshop, Georgia Institute of Technology

35. ^ a b Brown., W. C. (September 1984). "The History of Power Transmission by Radio Waves". Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on 32 (Volume: 32, Issue: 9 On page(s): 1230-1242+ ISSN: 0018-9480): 1230. Bibcode 1984ITMTT..32.1230B. doi:10.1109/TMTT.1984.1132833. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=1132833.

36. ̂ POINT-TO-POINT WIRELESS POWER TRANSPORTATION IN REUNION ISLAND 48th International Astronautical Congress, Turin, Italy, 6–10 October 1997 - IAF-97-R.4.08 J. D. Lan Sun Luk, A. Celeste, P. Romanacce, L. Chane Kuang Sang, J. C. Gatina - University of La Réunion - Faculty of Science and Technology.

37. ̂ Smith, David (Sunday 4 January 2009). "Wireless power spells end for cables". London: The Observer. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/jan/04/wireless-power-technology-witricity.

38. ̂ "power transmission via lasers". Laserfocusworld.com. http://www.laserfocusworld.com/display_article/245124/12/ARCHI/none/Feat/PHOTONIC-FRONTIERS:-Photonic-power-delivery:-Photonic-power-conversion-delivers-power-via-laser-beam. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

39. ̂ Skillings, Jonathan (2008-08-23). "Laser weapons: A distant target, CNET news August 23, 2008 1:41 PM PDT". News.cnet.com. http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-10024153-76.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

40. ̂ "Laser Weapons "Almost Ready?" Not!". Defensetech.org. http://www.defensetech.org/archives/002078.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

41. ̂ "White Sands testing new laser weapon system, US Army.mil, 30 Jan 2009". Army.mil. 2009-01-30. http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/01/30/16279-white-sands-testing-new-laser-weapon-system/. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

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42. ̂ "Lasers Power Planes, Drones". Defensetech.org. http://www.defensetech.org/archives/000658.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

43. ̂ "Riding a Beam of Light". Space.com. 2005-10-24. http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/051024_spaceelevator_challenge.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

44. ̂ Nobelprize.org, Laser facts, What is a Laser?[dead link]

45. ̂ "Nobelprize.org, Laser facts, Laser history and Nobel Prizes in Physics". Nobelprize.org. 2002-12-19. http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/physics/laser/facts/history.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

46. ̂ Nobelprize.org, Laser facts, Applications of Laser[dead link]

47. ̂ "Nobelprize.org, Laser facts, Everyday Use of Laser". Nobelprize.org. 2002-12-19. http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/physics/laser/facts/use.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

48. ̂ "Free-Space Laser Propagation: Atmospheric Effects". Ieee.org. http://www.ieee.org/organizations/pubs/newsletters/leos/oct05/free_space.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

49. ̂ Propagation Characteristics of Laser Beams – Melles Griot catalog50. ̂ L. C. Andrews and R. L. Phillips, Laser Beam Propagation through

Random Media, 2nd ed. (SPIE Press, 2005). Books.google.co.in. 2005. ISBN 9780819459480. http://books.google.com/?id=4NXHYg70qqIC&dq=Laser+propagation&printsec=frontcover. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

51. ̂ Dr. Rüdiger Paschotta. "An explanation of Coherence". Rp-photonics.com. http://www.rp-photonics.com/coherence.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

52. ̂ "An Evolutionary Path to SPS". Islandone.org. http://www.islandone.org/Settlements/EvolutionaryPathSPS.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

53. ̂ "A Supersynchronous SPS". Geoffreylandis.com. 1997-08-28. http://www.geoffreylandis.com/supersynch.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

54. ̂ "Papers Relating to Space Photovoltaic Power, Power beaming, and Solar Power Satellites". Sff.net. doi:10.1089/153110701753198927.. http://www.sff.net/people/Geoffrey.Landis/papers.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

55. ̂ "Limitless clean energy from space". Nss.org. http://www.nss.org/settlement/ssp/. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

56. ̂ "Power Beaming (Climber) Competition". Spaceward.org. http://www.spaceward.org/elevator2010-pb. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

57. ̂ "From Concept to Reality". The Space Elevator. http://www.spaceelevator.com/. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

58. ̂ "Space Elevator Tethers Coming Closer". Crnano.typepad.com. 2009-01-31. http://crnano.typepad.com/crnblog/2009/01/space-elevator-tethers-coming-closer.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

59. ̂ "Dryden Flight Research Center, Beamed Laser Power For UAVs". Nasa.gov. 2008-05-07. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-087-DFRC.html. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

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60. ̂ "PowerBeam demo with Consumer devices from PowerBeam Inc". youtube.com. 2009-12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdgQ6D-5BWI.

61. ̂ "LaserMotive experimental demo". youtube.com. 2010-06-03. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVSAU7a4J-o.

62. ̂ "Nikola Tesla and the Diameter of the Earth: A Discussion of One of the Many Modes of Operation of the Wardenclyffe Tower," K. L. Corum and J. F. Corum, Ph.D. 1996

63. ̂ William Beaty, Yahoo Wireless Energy Transmission Tech Group Message #787, reprinted in WIRELESS TRANSMISSION THEORY.

64. ̂ Wait, James R., The Ancient and Modern History of EM Ground-Wave Propagation," IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 40, No. 5, October 1998.

65. ̂ SYSTEM OF TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, Sept. 2, 1897, U.S. Patent No. 645,576, Mar. 20, 1900.

66. ̂ Nikola Tesla On His Work With Alternating Currents and Their Application to Wireless Telegraphy, Telephony and Transmission of Power

I have to say here that when I filed the applications of September 2, 1897, for the transmission of energy in which this method was disclosed, it was already clear to me that I did not need to have terminals at such high elevation, but I never have, above my signature, announced anything that I did not prove first. That is the reason why no statement of mine was ever contradicted, and I do not think it will be, because whenever I publish something I go through it first by experiment, then from experiment I calculate, and when I have the theory and practice meet I announce the results.

At that time I was absolutely sure that I could put up a commercial plant, if I could do nothing else but what I had done in my laboratory on Houston Street; but I had already calculated and found that I did not need great heights to apply this method. My patent says that I break down the atmosphere "at or near" the terminal. If my conducting atmosphere is 2 or 3 miles above the plant, I consider this very near the terminal as compared to the distance of my receiving terminal, which may be across the Pacific. That is simply an expression. . . .

67. ̂ Henry Bradford, "Nikola Tesla On Wireless Energy Transmission"68. ̂ Nikola Tesla On His Work With Alternating Currents and Their

Application to Wireless Telegraphy, Telephony and Transmission of Power

. . . I saw that I would be able to transmit power provided I could construct a certain apparatus -- and I have, as I will show you later. I have constructed and patented a form of apparatus which, with a moderate elevation of a few hundred feet, can break the air stratum down. You will then see something like an aurora borealis across the sky, and the energy will go to the distant place.

That is very simple. An apparatus which permits displacing a certain quantity of electricity in the terminal – we shall say so many units -- will produce an electric

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potential at a distance of 5 miles, and the fall of electric potential per centimeter will be equal to the quantity of electricity divided by the square of the distance.

Now, I have satisfied myself that I can construct plants in which I may produce, per kilometer of the atmosphere, electric differences of potential of something like 50,000 or 60,000 volts, and at 50,000 or 60,000 volts that atmosphere must break down and will become conductive.

So that, when I had explained this principle to Lord Kelvin, he became absolutely convinced that I could do it; but Helmholtz was convinced from the very beginning that I could do it. It took argumentation, however, and demonstration by experiments, to convince Lord Kelvin.

69. ̂ Rauscher, Elizabeth A., Electromagnetic Phenomena in Complex Geometries and Nonlinear Phenomena, Non-Hertzian Waves and Magnetic Monopoles, Tesla Book Company.

70. ̂ APPARATUS FOR TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, September 2, 1897, U.S. Patent No. 649,621, May 15, 1900

71. ̂ Nikola Tesla On His Work With Alternating Currents and Their Application to Wireless Telegraphy, Telephony and Transmission of Power, pp. 126, 127.

72. ̂ "The Future of the Wireless Art," Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony, Walter W. Massie & Charles R. Underhill, 1908, pp. 67-71

It is intended to give practical demonstrations of these principles with the plant illustrated. As soon as completed, it will be possible for a business man in New York to dictate instructions, and have them instantly appear in type at his office in London or elsewhere. He will be able to call up, from his desk, and talk to any telephone subscriber on the globe, without any change whatever in the existing equipment. An inexpensive instrument, not bigger than a watch, will enable its bearer to hear anywhere, on sea or land, music or song, the speech of a political leader, the address of an eminent man of science, or the sermon of an eloquent clergyman, delivered in some other place, however distant. In the same manner any picture, character, drawing, or print can be transferred from one to another place. Millions of such instruments can be operated from but one plant of this kind. More important than all of this, however, will be the transmission of power, without wires, which will be shown on a scale large enough to carry conviction.

73. ^ a b Tesla, Nikola, Systems of Transmission of Electrical Energy, Sept. 2, 1897, U.S. Patent No. 645,576, Mar. 20, 1900.

74. ̂ "The Transmission of Electrical Energy Without Wires," Electrical World, March 5, 1904". 21st Century Books. 1904-03-05. http://www.tfcbooks.com/tesla/1904-03-05.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-04.."

75. ̂ Nikola Tesla On His Work With Alternating Currents and Their Application to Wireless Telegraphy, Telephony and Transmission of Power, pp. 128-130.

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"The earth is 4,000 miles radius.  Around this conducting earth is an atmosphere.  The earth is a conductor; the atmosphere above is a conductor, only there is a little stratum between the conducting atmosphere and the conducting earth which is insulating. . . . Now, you realize right away that if you set up differences of potential at one point, say, you will create in the media corresponding fluctuations of potential.  But, since the distance from the earth's surface to the conducting atmosphere is minute, as compared with the distance of the receiver at 4,000 miles, say, you can readily see that the energy cannot travel along this curve and get there, but will be immediately transformed into conduction currents, and these currents will travel like currents over a wire with a return.  The energy will be recovered in the circuit, not by a beam that passes along this curve and is reflected and absorbed, . . . but it will travel by conduction and will be recovered in this way

76. ̂ Apparatus for Transmitting Electrical Energy, Jan. 18, 1902, U.S. Patent 1,119,732, Dec. 1, 1914.

77. ̂ One wireless system -- Two methods

A comparison of Tesla's patents covering wireless transmission using both atmospheric conduction and earth resonance principles reveals the basic transmitting and receiving apparatus are identical. An exception is noted in the two-tower form of earth-resonance transmitter.

78. ̂ Art of Transmitting Electrical Energy Through the Natural Mediums, May 16, 1900, U.S. Patent No. 787,412, Apr. 18, 1905.

79. ̂ "Nikola Tesla and the Diameter of the Earth : A Discussion of One of the Many Modes of Operation of the Wardenclyffe Tower," K. L. Corum and J. F. Corum, Ph.D. 1996.

80. ̂ Art of Transmitting Electrical Energy Through the Natural Mediums, April 17, 1906, Canadian Patent No. 142,352, August 13, 1912.

Three requirements seem to be essential to the establishment of the resonating condition.

First. The earth’s diameter passing through the pole should be an odd multiple of the quarter wave length – that is, of the ratio between the speed of light – and four times the frequency of the currents.

Second. It is necessary to employ oscillations in which the rate of radiation of energy into space in the form of hertzian or electromagnetic waves is very small. To give an idea, I would say that the frequency should be smaller than twenty thousand per second, through shorter waves might be practicable. The lowest frequency would appear to be six per second, in which case there will be but one node, at or near the ground-plate, and, paradoxical as it may seem, the effect will increase with the distance and will be greatest in a region diametrically opposite the transmitter. With oscillations still slower the earth, strictly speaking, will not

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resonate, but simply act as a capacity, and the variation of potential will be more or less uniform over its entire surface.

Third. The most essential requirement is, however, that irrespective of frequency the wave or wave-train should continue for a certain interval of time, which I have estimated to be not less than one-twelfth or probably 0.08484 of a second and which is taken in passing to and returning from the region diametrically opposite the pole over the earth’s surface with a mean s of about four hundred and seventy-one thousand two hundred and forty kilometers per second [471,240 km/sec].

81. ̂ Art of Transmitting Electrical Energy Through the Natural Mediums, May 16, 1900, U.S. Patent No. 787,412, April 18, 1905. It is apparent from documents on file at the U.S. Patent Office pertaining to U.S. Patent No. 787,412 that Tesla collected performance data on this type of transmitter.  In response to a question from U.S. Patent Examiner G.C. Dean regarding three stated requirements that, “seem essential to the establishment of the resonating condition” Tesla’s attorneys said,

These three requirements, as stated are in agreement with his numerous experimental observations. . . . we would point out that the specification does not deal with theories, but with facts which applicant has experimentally observed and demonstrated again and again, and in the commercial exploitation of which he is engaged.

82. ̂ "Spherical Transmission Lines and Global Propagation, An Analysis of Tesla's Experimentally Determined Propagation Model," K. L. Corum, J. F. Corum, Ph.D., and J. F. X. Daum, Ph.D. 1996, p. 3n.

83. ̂ Meyl, Konstantin, "Wireless Tesla Transponder   : Field-physical basis for electrically coupled bidirectional far range transponders according to the invention of Nikola Tesla," Furtwangen University, Germany

84. ̂ Meyl, Konstantin, Scalar Waves   : Theory and Experiments 85. ̂ van Vlaenderen, Koen J., "A Generalization of Classical

Electrodynamics for the Prediction of Scalar Field Effects," Institute for Basic Research, 2008

86. ̂ C. Monstein and J.P Wesley, Observation of scalar longitudinal electrodynamic waves, Europhysics Letters 59 (2002), no. 4, 514-520.

87. ̂ Chubykalo, Andrew E.; Tzontchev, Rumen I.; Rivera-Juárez, Juan M. (2000). "Coulomb interaction does not spread instantaniously". Hadrionic Journal 23: 401–424.

88. ̂ Dea, Jack Y., "Scalar Fields: Their Prediction from Classical Electromagnetism and Interpretation from Quantum Mechanics, 1985.

89. ̂ Bearden, T. E., Solutions to Tesla's Secrets and the Soviet Tesla Weapons, 1981; John T. Ratzlaff, Reference Articles for Solutions to Tesla's Secrets.

90. ̂ Electromagnetic fields, waves and numerical methods By Zijad Haznadar, Željko Štih. Page 61.

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91. ̂ "Electricity at the Columbian Exposition" By John Patrick Barrett. 1894. Page 168 - 169.

92. ̂ "Nikola Tesla, 1856 - 1943". IEEE History Center, IEEE, 2003. lecture-demonstration St. Louis.

93. ̂ Cheney, Margaret, Tesla Man Out of Time94. ̂ "Experiments with Alternating Currents of Very High Frequency and

Their Application to Methods of Artificial Illumination, AIEE, Columbia College, N.Y., May 20, 1891". 1891-06-20. http://www.tfcbooks.com/tesla/1891-05-20.htm.

95. ̂ "Experiments with Alternate Currents of High Potential and High Frequency, IEE Address,' London, February 1892". 1892-02-00. http://www.tfcbooks.com/tesla/1892-02-03.htm.

96. ̂ "On Light and Other High Frequency Phenomena, 'Franklin Institute,' Philadelphia, February 1893, and National Electric Light Association, St. Louis, March 1893". 1893-03-00. http://www.tfcbooks.com/tesla/1893-02-24.htm.

97. ̂ Hutin, Maurice; Maurice LeBlanc (October 23, 1894). "Transformer System for Electric Railways". United States Patent Office. http://www.google.com/patents?id=XpRGAAAAEBAJ. Retrieved 14 April 2010.

98. ̂ "The Work of Jagdish Chandra Bose: 100 years of mm-wave research". tuc.nrao.edu.

99. ̂ "Jagadish Chandra Bose", ieeeghn.org.100. ̂ Nikola Tesla On His Work With Alternating Currents and Their

Application to Wireless Telegraphy, Telephony and Transmission of Power, pp. 26-29.

101. ̂ June 5, 1899, NIKOLA TESLA COLORADO SPRINGS NOTES 1899- 1900, Nolit, 1978

102. ̂ Nikola Tesla: Guided Weapons & Computer Technology.103. ̂ The Electrician (London), 1904).104. ̂ Nikola Tesla On His Work With Alternating Currents and Their

Application to Wireless Telegraphy, Telephony and Transmission of Power, p. 133.

105. ̂ A survey of the elements of power Transmission by microwave beam, in 1961 IRE Int. Conf. Rec., vol.9, part 3, pp.93-105

106. ̂ "IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques, Bill Brown’s Distinguished Career". Mtt.org. http://www.mtt.org/awards/WCB%27s%20distinguished%20career.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-04.

107. ̂ "Power from the Sun: Its Future," Science Vol. 162, pp. 957-961 (1968)108. ̂ "Solar Power Satellite patent". Patft.uspto.gov.

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109. ̂ History of RFID110. ̂ "MIT lights 60W light bulb by wireless power transmission".

EetIndia.co.in.

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116. ̂ "A. Kumar, S. Mirabbasi, and M. Chiao, "Resonance-Based Wireless Power Delivery for Implantable Devices," IEEE Biomedical Circuits and Systems Conference (BioCAS), pp. 25-28, November 2009". http://www.ece.ubc.ca/~shahriar/.

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119. ̂ "Haier's wireless HDTV lacks wires, svelte profile (video)". Engadget. 2010-01-07. http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/07/haiers-wireless-hdtv-lacks-wires-svelte-profile-video/. Retrieved 2009-01-07.

120. ̂ "Anil Kumar RamRakhyani; Shahriar Mirabbasi; Mu Chiao; , "Design and Optimization of Resonance-Based Efficient Wireless Power Delivery Systems for Biomedical Implants," IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems". http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=5595028&isnumber=4358093.

[edit] External links

Howstuffworks "How Wireless Power Works" — describes near-range and mid-range wireless power transmission using induction and radiation techniques.

Microwave Power Transmission , — its history before 1980. The Stationary High Altitude Relay Platform (SHARP) , — microwave beam

powered. Marin Soljačić's MIT WiTricity — wireless power transmission pages.

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Anticipating MIT WiTricity — Tesla demonstrated resonant magnetic induction over 110 years ago.

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Telegraph and Telegraph Age, October 16, 1927

The transmission of power without wires is not a theory or a mere possibility, as it appears to most people, but a fact demonstrated by me in experiments which have extended for years. Nor did the idea present itself to me all of a sudden, but was the result of a very slow and gradual development and a logical consequence of my investigations which were earnestly undertaken in 1893 when I gave the world the first outline of my system of broadcasting wireless energy for all purposes. In several demonstrative lectures before scientific societies during the preceding three years, I showed that it was not necessary to use two wires in transmitting electrical energy, but that one only might be employed equally well. My experiments with currents of high frequencies were the first ever performed in public and elicited the keenest interest on account of the possibilities they opened up and striking character of the phenomena. Few of the experts familiar with the up-to-date appliances will appreciate the difficulty of my task with the elementary devices I had then at command, as accurate adjustments for resonance had to be made in every experiment.

The transmission of energy through a single conductor without return having been found practicable it occurred to me that possibly even that one wire might be dispensed with and the earth used to convey the energy from the transmitter to the receiver.

High Frequency Dynamo and Tesla Coil

Manifestly, currents such as were ordinarily employed in the arts and industries were unsuitable and I had to devise special generators and transformers for furnishing impulses of the requisite quality. First, I perfected high frequency dynamos which were of two types, one with a direct current field excitation and the other in which the magnet was energized by alternating currents of different phase, producing a rotating magnetic field. Both of these have found employment in connection with my broadcasting wireless system. In the first machine I exhibited an efficiency of ninety per cent. was attained, but it was necessary to run it in hydrogen or rarefied air to minimize the otherwise prohibitive windage loss and deafening noise.

In order to overcome the inherent limitations of such machines I next concentrated my efforts on the perfection of a peculiar transformer consisting of several tuned circuits in inductive relation which received the primary energy from oscillatory discharges of condensers. This apparatus,

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originally identified with my name and considered by the leading scientific men my best achievement, is now used in every wireless transmitter and receiver throughout the world. It has enabled me to obtain currents of any desired frequency, electromotive force and volume, and to produce a great variety of electrical, chemical, thermal, light and other effects, Roentgen, cathodic and other rays of transcending intensities. I have employed it in my investigations of the constitution of matter and radioactivity, published from 1896 to 1898 in the Electrical Review in which it was demonstrated, prior to the discovery of Radium by Mme. Sklodowska and Pierre Curie, that radio-activity is a common property of matter and that such bodies emit small particles of various sizes and great velocities, a view which was received with incredulity but finally recognized as true. It has been put to innumerable uses and proved in the hands of others a veritable lamp of Aladdin. As I think of my earliest coils, which were nothing more than scientific toys, the subsequent development appears to me like a dream.

The "Magnifying Transmitter" and Earth Resonance

While I was perfectly convinced, from the outset, that success would be ultimately achieved, it was not until by slow improvement I evolved the so-called "Magnifying Transmitter" that I obtained convincing evidence of the feasibility of wireless power transmission on a vast scale for all industrial purposes.

The chief discovery, which satisfied me thoroughly as to the practicability of my plan, was made in 1899 at Colorado Springs, where I carried on tests with a generator of fifteen hundred kilowatt capacity and ascertained that under certain conditions the current was capable of passing across the entire globe and returning from the antipodes to its origin with undiminished strength. It was a result so unbelievable that the revelation at first almost stunned me. I saw in a flash that by properly organized apparatus at sending and receiving stations, power virtually in unlimited amounts could be conveyed through the earth at any distance, limited only by the physical dimensions of the globe, with an efficiency as high as ninety-nine and one-half per cent.

The mode of propagation of the currents from my transmitter through the terrestrial globe is most extraordinary considering the spread of the electrification of the surface. The wave starts with a theoretically infinite speed, slowing down first very quickly and afterward at a lesser rate until the distance is about six thousand miles, when it proceeds with the speed of light. From there on it again increases in speed, slowly at first, and then more rapidly, reaching the antipode with approximately infinite velocity. The law of motion can be expressed by stating that the waves on the terrestrial surface sweep in equal intervals of time over equal area, but it must be understood that the current penetrates deep into the earth and the effects produced on the receivers are the same as if the whole flow was confined to the earth's axis joining the transmitter with the antipode. The mean surface speed is thus about 471,200 kilometers per second--fifty-seven per cent. greater than that of the so-called Hertz waves--which should propagate with the velocity of light if they exist. The same constant was found by the noted American astronomer, Capt. J.T.T. See, in his mathematical investigations, for the smallest particles of the ether which he fittingly designates as "etherons." But while in the light of his theory this speed is a physical reality, the spread of the currents at the terrestrial surface is much like the passage of the moon's shadow over the globe.

It will be difficult for most people engaged in practical pursuits to measure or even to form an adequate conception of the intensity of inspiration and force I derive from that part of my work which has passed into history. I have every reason to consider myself one of the most fortunate men, for I experience incessantly a feeling of inexpressible satisfaction that my alternating system is universally employed in the transmission and distribution of heat, light and power and that also my wireless system, in all its essential features, is used throughout the world for conveying intelligence. But my pioneer efforts in this later field are still grossly misunderstood.

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Short Wave Broadcasting and "Beam" Transmission

Nothing illustrates this better than the recent demonstrations of a number of experts with very short waves, which have created the impression that power will be eventually transmitted by such means. In reality, experiments of this kind are the very denial of the possibility of economic transmission of energy. I have investigated this special subject experimentally during a great number of years, using sometimes waves as short as one millimeter, and have found even these unsuitable for such a purpose, not to say that their production is inseparable from great waste.

In order to secure good results by this method it would be necessary to employ radiations of a wave length incomparably smaller than the dimensions of the reflector, as radiant heat, light, infra-red or ultra-violet rays. Notwithstanding my repeated explanations experts do not seem to realize that no concentration of energy such as I attain in my wireless power system can or will ever be achieved through the instrumentality of reflectors, for in transmitting energy in this manner the receiver can collect only an amount proportionate to the area exposed to the rays, while in my system it draws the energy from an immense reservoir in ever so much greater quantity. Similar considerations apply to directional transmission by short reflected waves or "beams."  If we could produce economically electric vibrations of a frequency approximating that of radiant heat waves, efficient reflectors without appreciable dispersion, and prevent absorption--then such a mode of transmitting energy might become of great importance. But attempts to accomplish this purpose with relatively very low frequencies are sure to prove futile. More than twenty-five years ago my efforts to transmit large amounts of power through the atmosphere resulted in the development of an invention of great promise, which has since been called the "Death Ray," and attributed to Dr. Grindell Mathews, an ingenious and skillful English electrician. The underlying idea was to render the air conducting by suitable ionizing radiations and to convey high tension currents along the path of the rays. Experiments, conducted on a large scale, showed that with pressures of many millions of volts virtually unlimited quantities of energy can be projected to a small distance, as a few hundred feet, which might be satisfactory if the process were more economical and the apparatus less expensive. Since that time I have made important improvements and discovered a new principle which can be successfully applied without difficulty for various purposes in peace and war.

If I have understood the reports correctly, in the "beam transmission" with waves of a few meters length, an oscillating circuit, consisting of a straight vertical conductor, is placed in the focal line of a parabolic surface on which are placed many secondary straight wires parallel to the primary conductor. Now, this disposition is entirely faulty and to all evidence inefficient, as the secondary system does not operate in the manner of a parabolic reflector but merely produces a confused echo. The correct arrangement would require primary and secondary conductors situated in two vertical parallel planes separated by a distance equal to one quarter of the wave length. But even in this best form such a transmitter can only be of doubtful practical value. The two wave trains behind the reflecting, or rather echoing, system do not completely neutralize and there is considerable lateral dissipation. The energy of the primary system diminishes with the square of the distance, and this being also true of the secondary, the useful waves from the latter will suffer diminution of energy in proportion to the fourth power of their length. This means that only a very short wave can be used which, moreover, is unchangeable and difficult to regulate. One must be shortsighted not to perceive that better results will be obtained if the capital is all invested in a single directional system of proper design for the power available increases much more rapidly than the cost of the plant. Assuming even that the beam arrangement works with ideal perfection, it must still be inferior, since the requisite radiant energy is producible at smaller expense with the single system, which has the further advantages that it can be adapted to any wavelength, is equally effective in two directions and therefore of greater earning capacity. So palpably unsound is this scheme that I am at a loss to understand how it could pass the scrutiny of competent experts such as Dr. W. L. Austin and John Stone Stone.

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The "World System"

Since I began the construction of the first power plant in 1899 I have expressed myself repeatedly in regard to it and the plans I had previously formed through the medium of the Electrical Review, Electrical World, Electrical Experimenter, Science and Invention and other periodicals, notably the Century Magazine of June, 1900, to which I contributed a lengthy article on the "Problem of Increasing Human Energy"; but certain facts must still be told. In the first place the fundamental difference between the broadcasting system as now practiced and the one I expect to inaugurate is that at present the transmitter emits energy in all directions, while in the system I have devised only force is conveyed to all points of the earth, the energy itself traveling in definite paths determined beforehand. Perhaps the most wonderful feature is that the energy travels chiefly along an orthodromic line, that is, the shortest distance between two points at the surface of the globe, and reaches the receiver without the slightest dispersion, so that an incomparably greater amount is collected than is possible by radiations. I have thus provided a perfect means for transmitting power in any desired direction far more economically and without any such qualitative and quantitative limitations as the use of reflectors would necessarily involve. 

Another distinction is that my system is based entirely on resonance, while in present practice reliance is placed chiefly on amplification by auxiliary devices generally consisting of various forms of vacuum tubes which have been brought to remarkable perfection. The foundation to their use was laid by Sir William Crookes, who discovered in 1876 that a highly heated conductor emits electrified particles. In 1882 a young French electrician, Vissiere by name, observed that a current issues from the filament of an incandescent lamp and made careful measurements with specially prepared bulbs, some of which I had opportunity to witness in Ivry-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris, at that time. But these phenomena found no application in the art until in 1892 I produced a vacuum tube detector superior in sensitiveness to any other form of which I have knowledge. Amazing progress has been since then achieved, but the employment of the modem vacuum detectors and amplifiers is an impediment to advance in the right direction and most of the troubles experienced in broadcasting are due to this cause. Until quite recently the transmitted waves were lacking in uniformity of length, rendering accurate attunement impossible. This defect has been in a measure remedied by control through quartz crystals, and now, for the first time, it is practicable to carry out important refinements for bettering the service.

The electro-mechanical process of producing isochronous oscillations is one of my earliest inventions and I have applied it in many ways with great success. Its application to the operation of existing plants secures important advantages, but in spite of this and other improvements a change in the present apparatus and method of broadcasting is becoming daily more imperative and for this reason I am anxious to resume the introduction of my "World System" with novel transmitters of great effectiveness and receivers of elementary simplicity. In my apparatus the isochronism is so perfect and attunement sharp to such a degree that in the transmission of speech, pictures or similar operations, the frequency or wavelength is varied only through a minute range which need not be more than one hundredth of one per cent. if desired.  Statics and all other interferences are completely eliminated and the service is unaffected by weather, seasonal or diurnal changes of any kind.  The system lends itself particularly to World Wireless Telephony and Telegraphy as the current from the transmitter can be kept virtually constant and the control effected by a simple microphone without the elaborate means now employed.  Any reasonable number of simultaneous and non-interfering messages is practicable and a speed of many thousands of words per minute can be attained in telegraphic transmission.  The same principles are also applicable to operation through wires and cables.  In 1903 I proposed to the Western Union and Postal Telegraph companies such multiplex transmission for their lines but received no encouragement mainly because the volume of business did not call for a great increase of working capacity.  At a later date my improvements were introduced as "Wired Wireless."  A quite inappropriate name inasmuch as the waves radiated from the wire are completely lost and of no effect on the receiver.

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My plans for a power plant have been developed to the point of application, but I am still unable to say when I shall begin active work. There are no such difficulties in the way as confronted me from the outset, for at that time I was alone; now many are convinced that my undertaking is rational and practical.  Needless to say that I am using every effort to give to the world my best and most important work as soon as possible and free of all blemish and flaw.  I have in view a number of places which seem well suited for the purpose, but my warmest wish is to transmit power from Niagara Falls, where the first triumph with my alternating system was achieved.

One of the most important uses of wireless energy will be undoubtedly for the propulsion of flying machines to which power can be readily supplied without ground connection, for although the flow of the currents is confined to the earth an electro magnetic field is created in the atmosphere surrounding it. If conductors or circuits accurately attuned and properly positioned are carried by the plane, energy is drawn into these circuits much the same as a fluid will pass through a hole created in the container. With an industrial plant of great capacity sufficient power can be derived in this manner to propel any kind of aerial machine. This I have always considered as the best and permanent solution of the problems of flight. No fuel of any kind will be required as the propulsion will be accomplished by light electric motors operated at great speed. Nevertheless, anticipating slow progress, I am developing a novel type of flying machine which seems to be well suited for meeting the present necessity of a safe, small and compact "aerial fliver" capable of rising and descending vertically.

Television, as conceived by me in 1893, will be another valuable and timely application. At that time I advanced the idea that the formation of a clear mental image of external objects is accompanied by a reflex action on the retina, making it possible to read thoughts and even to project the images conceived on a screen and render them visible to an audience. This would be of inestimable consequence on all human relations but the idea can not be realized until some way is found to lay bare the retina. Continued reflections on this subject led me to evolve apparatus for transmitting instantaneously true vision without any moving devices, and in 1900 I had already solved three of the problems which confronted me, namely: to individualize and isolate a very great number of channels or "nerves"; to convey to the receiving apparatus energy in sufficient amount, and, to make the vision of the moving images independent of distance. Eventually also I hope to overcome the shortcomings of the selenium cell by a different device.

I am most interested, however, in the perfection of broadcasting which is now carried on with unfit apparatus and on a commercially defective plan. The transmitters have to be greatly improved and the receivers simplified and in the distribution of wireless energy for all purposes the precedent established by the telegraph, telephone and power companies must be followed, for while the means are different the service is of the same character. Technical invention is akin to architecture and the experts must in time come to the same conclusions I have reached long ago. Sooner or later my power system will have to be adopted in its entirety and so far as I am concerned it is as good as done. If I were ever assailed by doubt of ultimate success I would dismiss it by remembering the words of that great philosopher, Lord Kelvin, who after witnessing some of my experiments said to me with tears in his eyes: "I am sure you will do it."

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