There may be as many as 70 million smart homes by 2023. Assuming 50% of these families have more than three remotes, that’s a scary quantity of batteries to charge. And thereby create a huge volume of dirty electricity emissions while topping them up. However, sustainable infrared technology is beginning to reduce this burden on our planet.
Using Sustainable Infrared Technology in Smart Homes
Half of sun’s emitted energy is infrared light. This vast store of sustainable energy reaches us freely, although we cannot see it with our naked eyes. It carries radiant energy with it that travels in waves and particles. We have already harnessed this in radiometry, solar energy, heating, and illumination.
Scientists have known for a while that sustainable infrared technology can also transmit power from one location to another. Sometimes they call it ‘radiant energy’ when referring to the electromagnetic waves themselves. At other times, they may speak of ‘electromagnetic energy’ being a property of the waves.
Radiant Energy Charging is Transforming Smart Devices
Katie Ellman writing for Green Biz describes how the technology emits a thin beam of infrared light. A small solar cell on a target device receives it, and converts it to electricity. So no more wires, and no more scratching in the kitchen drawer for the right charger either.
This sustainable infrared technology is powerful enough to top up almost any small electrical device. Developers predict a wonderful future, where we seamlessly recharge our phones and watches while we wait to board an airplane. Or share a meal with friends in a restaurant with the technology.
While this technique does not do away with batteries per se, it has potential to make us less dependent on dirty grid energy. And that’s a good thing given current threats to the safety of the air we breathe.
Related
Harvesting More of the Sun’s Energy
Smart Home Vision for a Greener Future
Preview Image: Radiant Energy Distribution Across Earth
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