Scientists Beam 800 Watts of Power 5.3 Miles Through Air Using Laser Technology
Summary
Scientists achieve breakthrough by wirelessly transmitting 800 watts of electrical power across 5.3 miles using focused laser beams, setting new records for distance and power in optical energy transmission technology that could revolutionize how remote locations receive electricity.
Key Points
- Scientists successfully transmit 800 watts of electrical power wirelessly over 5.3 miles using laser technology, achieving 20% efficiency and transferring more than a megajoule of energy during testing at White Sands Missile Range
- The system converts electricity into focused laser light that travels through air to a specialized receiver with parabolic mirrors and photovoltaic cells, representing the farthest distance and highest power achieved in optical power beaming demonstrations
- The technology aims to provide power to remote locations like disaster zones and battlefields without fuel convoys, with future plans including airborne relay networks and charging drones mid-flight