logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
11m 50s

How wireless energy from space could pow...

TED Tech
About this episode

Modern life runs on wireless technology. What if the energy powering our devices could also be transmitted without wires? This week we are revisiting a talk by electrical engineer Ali Hajimiri, where he explains the principles behind wireless energy transfer and shares his far-out vision for launching flexible solar panels into space in order to collect sunlight, convert it to electrical power and then beam it down to Earth. Learn how this technology could power everything — and light up our world from space.

Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Apr 17
The probe on a mission to touch the Sun | Nour E. Rawafi (re-release)
From its life-sustaining energy to its explosive geomagnetic storms, the Sun has many mysteries, says astrophysicist Nour E. Rawafi. He sheds light on NASA's latest endeavor to better understand our fiery neighbor and its impact on the future of society: sending the cutting-edge ... Show More
14m 51s
Apr 10
AI is changing how we talk and think. How can we stop it? with Adam Aleksic and Advait Sarkar
Algorithms and AI don’t show us reality, but that doesn’t stop people from treating ChatGPT and online bots as our personalized therapists, travel planners, and editors. In this episode, Sherrell is sharing two talks on how AI is changing the way we’re influenced. From shaping ou ... Show More
32m 50s
Apr 3
How satellite imagery is helping stop deforestation with Tasso Azevedo and Anna Rothschild
From local parks to the Amazon rainforest, trees provide shade and shelters for humans, animals, insects, and many other living creatures. They’re the lungs of our planets, but they’re being threatened by deforestation. In this episode, Sherrell is sharing two talks on what happe ... Show More
19 m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2023
How wireless energy from space could power everything | Ali Hajimiri
Modern life runs on wireless technology. What if the energy powering our devices could also be transmitted without wires? Electrical engineer Ali Hajimiri explains the principles behind wireless energy transfer and shares his far-out vision for launching flexible solar panels int ... Show More
10m 25s
Jun 2020
Nigerian internet land rights costs fall
A major problem in laying internet cables in Nigeria is the phenomenal cost of right of way charges – these are local state imposed fees to broadband providers. Ekiti, one of Nigeria’s smallest states, has cut its right of way charges by 96%. It will now cost $374 to lay a kilome ... Show More
50m 23s
Jan 2023
Tapping Solar Power in Space
<p>Caltech research scientist Austin Fikes talks about capturing solar energy in space with a satellite that would relay the power to Earth.</p> 
18m 25s
Apr 2020
Professor Saiful Islam
Not so long ago, all batteries were single use. And solar power was an emerging and expensive technology. Now, thanks to rechargeable batteries, we have mobile phones, laptops, electronic toys, cordless power tools and other portable electronic devices. And solar power is reducin ... Show More
26m 59s
Aug 2021
How can smart tech tackle climate change?
<p>Humans are responsible for emitting over 40 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year – and we all know that we need to reduce that figure to prevent devastating climate change. Listener Saugat wonders whether smart technology and artificial intelligence ... Show More
37m 49s
Aug 2023
Beaming 24/7 solar… from space
It’s the highest-intensity solar power you can get. It’s available 24/7. And you can send it anywhere on earth. All you need to do is launch a ten-by-ten kilometer array of solar panels into geosynchronous orbit, capture solar energy, and beam it to earth using a massive antenna ... Show More
47m 52s
Mar 2022
Qu'est-ce que le Global Digital Power Forum ?
<p>Il y a peu, près de 200 acteurs des technologies vertes se sont réunies à Barcelone pour le Global Digital Power Forum. Cette grand messe de la tech verte avait cette année pour thème Lighting Up a Low-Carbon Smart Future (mettre en avant un futur intelligent bas-carbone). Tou ... Show More
2m 4s