Getting a charge the wireless way

Want to thank the contributors to Texas Instruments' TInergy blog for pointing out some information about Fulton Innovation, a company that is experimenting with what it calls "wireless power."

Fulton is behind an initiative called eCoupled Intelligent wireless power. I am NOT a physicist, so I won't attempt to explain the technology other than to say that the principles build on the theory of near-field inductive coupling. Actually, another company, PowerBeam, has a pretty good lay-person's explanation on their site.

So, the basic theoretical concept is that the digital photo frame you bought for Christmas can actually be set on a coffee table, without tripping someone up in your living room. Or, that you could charge a mobile phone in your car, without having it turned on. Amway already uses eCouple technology in its eSpring water purification devices.

New Fulton partners that chatted things up at the Consumer Electronics Show last week include Energizer Battery, which is working on a portable handheld light that can be charged without a power cord; Leggett & Platt, which is developing computer cradles and cell phone/flashlight/tools consoles that can be installed in vehicles; and Bosch Power Tools, which has included eCoupled support in its new line of 18-volt lithium ion cordless power tools. (Which my husband will be thrilled to hear about!)