Comments on: Wireless Power – How is This Not Dangerous?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:47:33 +0000

I, too wonder about the potential for harm or mayhem with these devices. What if you wrapped one around someone’s head for punishment? How long would it take to zap his/her brain. Many moons ago, my friend’s iconoclastic family–they also had a pet chimp named Nixon– bought one of the first microwave ovens marketed (this was in the 60s). It was the size of a refrigerator and sounded like a jet engine. It was a marvel to all who stood before it (and in doing so, got the equivalent of 60 chest x-rays). I sat very close to our first color TV. Now we have magnetic charging mats. Things never change.

By: Leanne Heller

Leanne Heller — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:08:37 +0000

Hi Christoph,

Thanks for sharing – I appreciate your Dad’s insight. It will be interesting to see if wireless power will become safer and more efficient over time.

By: Christoph Sullivan

Christoph Sullivan — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:32:12 +0000

My dad has a Ph.D. in physics (I am not making this up) and I recently asked hi about the dangers of wireless power. He says that it is among the most INEFFICIENT methods of charging there is, because it just is throwing up power in the air, whether anything is there to grab it or not. (This can be combatted with time and technology, like searching for a signal, and then throwing up the power). But, there’s also the issue of long term effects. He says that walking by the display in Target is not a problem, but if you buy one and place it next to where you sleep, you might get some brain damage after a while (same reason you don’t sit on your microwave as you warm up your Hot Pocket, there’s a lot of radiation that can harm you being emitted). Now, there’s nothing so far showing whether you can or can’t get brain damage from this over a long period of time, but let’s use our brains (while we still can. :]). We currently have a method in which we plug the device in, and set it down. With wireless power right now, we put on the bulky charging pack, and set it down in a special area. Currently, it appears more restrictive. So, with everything, the Physicist says avoid wireless power, at least in it’s current form.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:53:44 +0000

And for added impact – have a loud and visible CountDown before the Zap!

By: Leanne Heller

Leanne Heller — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:43:53 +0000

@Mark – You’re right – tasering by default would be much more efficient. In fact, in the theme of being proactive, I will just taser everyone’s car in their driveway, so they can’t leave their house to begin with. This will keep the roads clear, should I ever decide to abandon my hovercraft and drive.

By: Mark 2100

Mark 2100 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:48:09 +0000

As an evil dictator myself, I’d just like to point out that you’re thinking too small. Why would you tazer a car that cut you off when you could just tazer every other car on the road -by default-? That way you’d never be cut off in the first place.