The concept of ‘charging rooms’ that deliver electricity to a device through the air has been demonstrated thanks to researchers from both the University of Michigan and University of Tokyo.

To make this possible, both lumped capacitors placed inside the walls of the room and a conductive pole placed in the middle of the room emanate magnetic fields.

Trialling the technology in what the researchers call the ‘aluminium test room’ which measures 10×10 feet, tests showed that devices and objects such as cell phones and lamps were able to receive a wirelessly powered charge.

According to an article on techxplore.com, this breakthrough is seen as much safer compared to past attempts regarding this concept, which have utilised microwave radiation that could be dangerous.

“This really ups the power of the ubiquitous computing world—you could put a computer in anything without ever having to worry about charging or plugging in,” said Alanson Sample, a lead author of the study.

“There are a lot of clinical applications as well; today’s heart implants, for example, require a wire that runs from the pump through the body to an external power supply. This could eliminate that, reducing the risk of infection and improving patients’ quality of life.”

The team are now looking to try this technology out in a series of newly constructed rooms on the campus of the University of Michigan.