Wireless charging generally uses electromagnetic field to transfer electrical energy between two objects.

In wireless charging energy is sent through an inductive coupling to an electrical device, which can then use that energy to charge batteries or run the device.

TYPES OF WIRELESS CHARGING

Radio charging

Inductive charging

Resonance charging

RADIO CHARGING
Radio charging serves low-power devices operating within a 10-meter (30 feet) radius from the transmitter. Radio charging can also activate advanced RFID (radio frequency identification) chips through resonantly enhanced induction. The transmitter sends a low-power radio wave at a frequency of 915MHz (frequency for microwave ovens) and the receiver converts the signal to energy. The radio chr\arging offers high flexibility but has low power capture and exposes people to electro-smog. It is used in medical implants, hearing aids, watches and entertainment devices.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

INDUCTIVE CHARGING
Most of todays wireless chargers use inductive charging featuring a transmit and receive coil in close proximity. Electric toothbrushes were one of the first devices to use this charging method, and mobile phones are the largest growing sector to charge without wires. To retrofit an existing mobile phone for mobile charging, simply attach a skin that contains the receiver and provides interconnection to the charger socket. Many new devices will have this feature built in.

RESONANCE CHARGING
For larger batteries such as electric vehicles, resonance charging, or electro dynamic induction,is being developed. Resonance charging works by making a coil ring. The oscillating magnetic field works within a one meter (3 feet) radius; the distance between transmit and receive coil must be well within the 1/4 wavelength (915Mhz has a wavelength of 0.328 meters). Currently, resonance charging in trials can deliver roughly 3,000 watts at a transfer efficiency of 8090 percent.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Wireless chargers typically use an induction coil to create an alternating electromagnetic field from within a charging base station, and a second induction coil in the portable device takes power from the electromagnetic field and converts it back into electrical current to charge the battery. The two induction coils in proximity combine to form an electrical transformer.

Mobile phone wireless chargers also uses same principle for charging devices and they are extensively used nowadays.

Wireless charging may one day replace plugs and wires similar to how Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have modernized personal communication.

APPLICATIONS

Oral-B rechargeable toothbrushes the have used inductive charging since the early 1990s. Nokia launched two smartphones (the Lumia 820 and Lumia 920) on 5 September 2012, which feature Qi wireless charging. Google and LG launched Nexus 4 which supports inductive charging using the Qi standard. In medical implants and hearing aids wireless charging through microwaves are employed. Electric vechiles like Nissan leaf also uses wireless charging. Now many mobile companies aiming at wireless charging

ADVANTAGES

Lower risk of electrical shock or shorting out when wet because there are no exposed conductors, for example toothbrushes and shavers, or outdoors. Protected connections - no corrosion when the electronics are all enclosed, away from water or oxygen in the atmosphere. Safer for medical implants - for embedded medical devices, allows recharging/powering through the skin rather than having wires penetrate the skin, which would increase the risk of infection. Convenience - rather than having to connect a power cable, the device can be placed on or close to a charge plate or stand. Disabled people may find this easier than plugging into a power cable.

DISADVANTAGES

Lower efficiency, waste heat - The main disadvantages of inductive charging are its lower efficiency and increased resistive heating in comparison to direct contact. More costly - Inductive charging also requires drive electronics and coils in both device and charger, increasing the complexity and cost of manufacturing. Slower charging - due to the lower efficiency, devices can take longer to charge when supplied power is equal. Inconvenience - When a mobile device is connected to a cable, it can be freely moved around and operated while charging. In some implementations of inductive charging (such as the Qi standard), the mobile device must be left on a pad, and thus can't be moved around or easily operated while charging.

REFERENCES

WIKIPEDIA.COM THEVERGE.COM NOKIA.COM BATTERYUNIVERSITY.COM GIZMAG.COM DELPHI.COM