Comsol Case Studies WiTricity Leverages Magnetic Resonance for Flexible Wireless Charging

	WiTricity Leverages Magnetic Resonance for Flexible Wireless Charging Comsol

WiTricity Leverages Magnetic Resonance for Flexible Wireless Charging

Comsol

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization Networks & Connectivity - Wireless Local Area Network
Applicable Industries	Consumer Goods Automotive Healthcare & Hospitals
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Predictive Maintenance Remote Control
Services	System Integration Software Design & Engineering Services
Challenge	Other options for wireless energy transfer require precise device positioning on a pad or holder, very close proximity to the charging source, and the source can only charge a single device with a single coil. WiTricity engineers aimed to overcome these limitations by leveraging magnetic resonance to enable more flexible and efficient wireless power transfer. They needed to design a system that could charge multiple devices simultaneously, over distances, and through various materials, while maintaining high efficiency and low power losses. Additionally, they faced the challenge of making the technology scalable for a wide range of devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles, and ensuring that the system met safety regulations for electromagnetic fields. Read More
About Customer	WiTricity is a Watertown, MA-based company that develops wireless charging technology based on magnetic resonance. The technology was invented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Professor Marin Soljacic and a team of researchers. WiTricity's technology has the ability to charge multiple devices at once, over distances, and through materials like wood, plastic, granite, and glass. The company has licensed its technology to major companies such as Toyota, Intel, and Thoratec for use in hybrid-electric vehicles, smartphones, wearable electronics, and heart pumps. WiTricity is also a board member of the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), an organization dedicated to building a global wireless ecosystem and creating standards for wireless charging. Read More
Solution	WiTricity's engineers developed a system called 'highly resonant wireless power transfer,' which relies on oscillating time-varying magnetic fields generated by alternating current passing through a coil that functions as a power source. A power amplifier connected to this source coil controls the power levels and operating frequency, driving the magnetic field levels. A capture device, which acts as a receiver, contains another coil tuned to the same frequency as the source. This setup allows the receiving coil to capture maximum power through the magnetic field with very low losses, enabling power transmission without the source and capture device needing to be perfectly aligned or in close proximity. To extend the wireless range, resonant repeaters containing another circuit and coil can be placed between the source and receiver, allowing power to 'hop' over greater distances. The system was designed and optimized using COMSOL Multiphysics software, which allowed the engineers to simulate and validate different coil configurations, analyze electromagnetic and thermal behavior, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Networks & Connectivity - Wireless Local Area Network

Applicable Industries

Consumer Goods

Automotive

Healthcare & Hospitals

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Control

Services

System Integration

Software Design & Engineering Services

Challenge

Other options for wireless energy transfer require precise device positioning on a pad or holder, very close proximity to the charging source, and the source can only charge a single device with a single coil. WiTricity engineers aimed to overcome these limitations by leveraging magnetic resonance to enable more flexible and efficient wireless power transfer. They needed to design a system that could charge multiple devices simultaneously, over distances, and through various materials, while maintaining high efficiency and low power losses. Additionally, they faced the challenge of making the technology scalable for a wide range of devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles, and ensuring that the system met safety regulations for electromagnetic fields.

About Customer

WiTricity is a Watertown, MA-based company that develops wireless charging technology based on magnetic resonance. The technology was invented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Professor Marin Soljacic and a team of researchers. WiTricity's technology has the ability to charge multiple devices at once, over distances, and through materials like wood, plastic, granite, and glass. The company has licensed its technology to major companies such as Toyota, Intel, and Thoratec for use in hybrid-electric vehicles, smartphones, wearable electronics, and heart pumps. WiTricity is also a board member of the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP), an organization dedicated to building a global wireless ecosystem and creating standards for wireless charging.

Solution

WiTricity's engineers developed a system called 'highly resonant wireless power transfer,' which relies on oscillating time-varying magnetic fields generated by alternating current passing through a coil that functions as a power source. A power amplifier connected to this source coil controls the power levels and operating frequency, driving the magnetic field levels. A capture device, which acts as a receiver, contains another coil tuned to the same frequency as the source. This setup allows the receiving coil to capture maximum power through the magnetic field with very low losses, enabling power transmission without the source and capture device needing to be perfectly aligned or in close proximity. To extend the wireless range, resonant repeaters containing another circuit and coil can be placed between the source and receiver, allowing power to 'hop' over greater distances. The system was designed and optimized using COMSOL Multiphysics software, which allowed the engineers to simulate and validate different coil configurations, analyze electromagnetic and thermal behavior, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Impact #1	WiTricity's technology allows for flexible and efficient wireless power transfer, enabling the charging of multiple devices simultaneously over distances and through various materials.
Impact #2	The use of magnetic resonance ensures low power losses and high efficiency, even when the source and capture device are not perfectly aligned.
Impact #3	The system is scalable for a wide range of devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles, making it versatile and adaptable to different applications.

Impact #1

WiTricity's technology allows for flexible and efficient wireless power transfer, enabling the charging of multiple devices simultaneously over distances and through various materials.

Impact #2

The use of magnetic resonance ensures low power losses and high efficiency, even when the source and capture device are not perfectly aligned.

Impact #3

The system is scalable for a wide range of devices, from smartphones to electric vehicles, making it versatile and adaptable to different applications.

Benefit #1	WiTricity's technology can charge multiple devices at once, over distances and through materials like wood, plastic, granite, and glass.
Benefit #2	The use of resonant repeaters allows power to 'hop' over greater distances, extending the wireless range.
Benefit #3	The system's efficiency and low power losses are achieved through the use of magnetic resonance, with both coils tuned to the same resonant frequency.

Benefit #1

WiTricity's technology can charge multiple devices at once, over distances and through materials like wood, plastic, granite, and glass.

Benefit #2

The use of resonant repeaters allows power to 'hop' over greater distances, extending the wireless range.

Benefit #3

The system's efficiency and low power losses are achieved through the use of magnetic resonance, with both coils tuned to the same resonant frequency.

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Overview

WiTricity Leverages Magnetic Resonance for Flexible Wireless Charging

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit