The Problem:
Wireless power transfer (WPT) is an upcoming and lucrative technology that is being readily developed for use in mobile electronics, robotics, medical devices, and electric vehicles. However, modern wireless power devices retain several issues that prevent full technological optimization such as high cost, heavy weight, sensitivity to electromagnetic interference, and low transfer efficiency.
The Solution:
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed a novel integrated coil structure for high frequency wireless power transfer. The device is slimmer, more efficient, and requires significantly less material cost to fabricate than leading wireless power device benchmarks. Integrating both the coil and electric field compensation into a single self-resonant structure allows low electromagnetic interference and increased immunity to parasitic loading.
Benefits:
·Prototypes demonstrated in applications from low-power cell phone charging to high-power EV wireless power transfer
·Slim and integrated design has led to a 61.5% cost reduction and a 60% reduction in weight.
·Highest gravimetric and volumetric power densities reported to-date for wireless EV charging coils
US 11,996,229
WO2023215286A1
Available for Exclusive Licensing
The Inventors:
Dr. Costinett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and the Co-Director of Education & Diversity with the National Science Foundation/Department of Energy Engineering Research Center for Ultra-Wide-Area Resilient Electric Energy Transmission Networks (CURENT). He received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2013 after completing both his BSEE and MSEE from the same institution in 2011. His research interests include resonant and soft switching power converters, high efficiency wired and wireless power supplies, on-chip power conversion, medical power supplies, energy harvesting, implantable devices, and electric vehicles.