Power Harvesting: Induction Magic
Pulling Energy From the Sky
Figuring out how to harness electricity from power lines isn't the only amazing goal that Air Force research lab engineers achieved. They still had a question: Could electronics such as cameras and radio transmitters be fired up by placing them on power lines?
That process -- capturing magnetic energy and turning it back into electricity -- is called electromagnetic induction. The answer was "yes," and now that the engineers can harness this energy, they have big plans to power other devices.
Using induction is "taking advantage of all the power lines that are available all over the world," says electrical engineer David McDaniel. "It's like when you were a kid you're working on your bike -- it's like that, times a thousand," says electrical engineer Pat Marshall. "I love it! I love being an engineer -- electrical, of course."
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CONCEPTS EXPLORED
Inductive Coupling
Electromagnetic Induction
Harnessing Electricity
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RELATED LINKS
Electro-Magnetic Induction
Ambient Power Harvesting
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MILITARY BRANCH
Air Force
LAB'S NDEP PAGE
n/a
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