People may be able to charge their mobile phones and other devices without the need for cables within two years.
Japanese electronics firm Fujitsu has developed a wireless recharging system using magnetic technology which it hopes to put in products and sold in 2012.
The system is capable of simultaneously charging multiple portable electronic devices likes mobiles, digital cameras and laptop computers without using power cords.
Devices can be charged at distances of up to several metres and it could lead to wireless charging 'hotspots' in public places, similar to Wi-Fi internet zones in shops and cafes.
Fujitsu says its technology means it can charge devices 150 times faster than the time which is normally required.
The firm is also looking at applying the system to power up electric cars.
In what is claimed to be a world first, the technology works by sending electricity across magnetic fields between the wireless charger and the electronic device.
Fujitsu calls it the magnetic resonance method, which uses a coil of wire and an electronic component called a capacitor to create a resonance between it and the power receiver.
The firm said: "This technology paves the way to integrating compact wireless charging functions into mobile phones and enabling multiple portable devices to be charged simultaneously without any restrictions on their position with respect to the charger."
It added: "Developments are under way for a broad range of potential applications, charging everything from portable electronics to electric cars."
It has designed a compact, slim power receiver, and manufactured prototype mobile phones with built-in wireless charging.
Futjitsu claimed the prototype mobiles can charge anywhere within the power-transmitter's range, with 85% efficiency.
The company said its tests found the performance of the chargers varied according to the size of the transmitter's coil.
It found the optimal coil size for efficiently charging three devices, took roughly 10 minutes, or 150 times faster than the time it had taken before.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Busine ... 0736?f=rss(Posted here for a bigger cross-section of views. Literally and figuratively
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It's not that new an idea of course, but fcuk I want it (or something similar) yesterday...
Thoughts on it's viability etc please
