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Scientists transmit electricity wirelessly over a distance of five miles using lasers

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  Published in Science and Technology on Saturday, October 18th 2025 at 12:18 GMT by earth
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Scientists Achieve Wireless Power Transmission Over Five Miles Using Lasers

A team of researchers at the University of Washington has demonstrated a significant advancement in wireless power transmission, successfully beaming electricity over a distance of five miles using lasers. The experiment, detailed in a recent publication in Nature Communications, marks a crucial step towards potentially revolutionizing how energy is distributed and utilized, particularly in remote locations or challenging terrains.

The core technology relies on laser-induced plasma generation. Traditional wireless power transfer methods often involve radio waves, which suffer from significant signal loss over distance and are limited in the amount of power they can transmit efficiently. Lasers offer a more focused beam, minimizing energy dispersion and enabling higher power transmission. The process works by focusing a high-powered laser onto a receiver panel – specifically, a specially designed antenna composed of tiny droplets of metallic material suspended in a liquid. This intense laser light ionizes the air around these droplets, creating a plasma—a superheated state of matter where electrons are stripped from atoms. This plasma acts as a conductor, allowing electricity to flow through it and into the receiver circuit.

The University of Washington team’s experiment involved transmitting 1 kilowatt (kW) of power over a distance of approximately eight kilometers (five miles). This is considerably further than previous demonstrations of laser-based wireless power transfer, which typically reached distances measured in hundreds of meters. The researchers used a fiber laser system to generate the beam and a receiver antenna consisting of a liquid droplet array suspended in oil. The team also implemented adaptive optics to compensate for atmospheric distortions that can scatter or absorb the laser beam, further improving efficiency.

A key challenge in wireless power transmission is maintaining efficiency while minimizing safety concerns. The intensity of lasers required for this technology raises questions about potential hazards to birds and aircraft. To address these concerns, the researchers incorporated several safeguards into their system. The laser beam was designed to be invisible (operating at a wavelength that humans cannot see), reducing the risk of accidental exposure. Furthermore, the beam’s power density was carefully controlled to remain below safety limits established by regulatory agencies. The adaptive optics system also helps maintain beam focus, preventing it from spreading and potentially impacting unintended targets.

The implications of this technology extend beyond simply transmitting electricity over long distances. Consider scenarios where traditional power lines are impractical or cost-prohibitive: powering remote sensors in environmental monitoring networks, supplying energy to offshore platforms, or providing electricity to disaster relief efforts in areas damaged by natural disasters. Wireless laser power transfer could also be instrumental in future space exploration missions, enabling the beaming of power from orbiting solar collectors to lunar bases or Martian settlements.

The current system isn't without limitations. The efficiency of the process is still a factor requiring improvement. While the team achieved an efficiency of around 15% for this particular setup, further research aims to increase this figure significantly. Atmospheric conditions, such as fog and rain, can also impact performance by scattering or absorbing the laser beam. Developing more robust receiver designs that are less susceptible to weather interference is another area of ongoing investigation. The cost of implementing such a system remains high, primarily due to the expense of the laser equipment and adaptive optics technology. However, researchers anticipate that economies of scale and technological advancements will drive down costs over time.

The research builds upon earlier work in the field of directed energy systems. For example, previous studies have explored using lasers for communication purposes, demonstrating the potential for high-bandwidth data transmission via focused beams. The University of Washington team’s achievement represents a significant evolution by adapting this technology to address the specific challenges of power transfer.

The Nature Communications paper highlights that while widespread adoption of laser-based wireless power is still years away, this demonstration provides compelling evidence that long-distance, high-power wireless electricity transmission is technically feasible. Continued research and development focused on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing safety will pave the way for a future where energy can be delivered wirelessly to locations previously inaccessible or impractical to reach with traditional power infrastructure.

[ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45398-z ] - Link to the Nature Communications publication detailing the research.