Former Bradley electrical engineering students have developed a rechargeable battery, bringing technology one step closer to wireless freedom.
The Wireless Power Transfer Freedom project, which began as the senior project of May 2014 graduates Sergio Sanchez, Tyler Hoge and Elie Baliss, evolved into a yearlong experiment to push the limits of wireless technology.
The process involves taking power from a wall outlet, storing it on the battery and transferring a wireless signal to smart phones.
The concept of the battery is similar to sending Wi-Fi signals. When the battery is inserted into an outlet, it acts as a wireless router and sends power instead of sending information.
“The ultimate goal of the project is to charge smart phones wirelessly,” said electrical engineering professor and project advisor Prasad Shastry.
Although the rechargeable battery has yet to become commercialized, Hoge said the project will create wireless hotspots for smartphones and eventually other devices, allowing complete wireless charging.
The project has come a long way from current wireless devices by transmitting signals with more power and even reaching other devices at greater distances.
“This project was essentially taking that problem and answering it in a completely different way,” Hoge said.
