WiTricity FAQ

Q: Is WiTricity technology safe?

A: WiTricity’s technology is a non-radiative mode of energy transfer, relying instead on the magnetic near
field. Magnetic fields interact very weakly with biological organisms—people and animals—and are
scientifically regarded to be safe. WiTricity products are being designed to comply with applicable safety
standards and regulations.

Q: How much power can be transferred?

A: Our technology is capable of scaling from applications requiring milliwatts to those requiring several
kilowatts of power.

Q: Over what distance can WiTricity technology transfer power?

A: WiTricity technology is designed for “mid-range” distances, which we consider to be anywhere from a
centimeter to several meters. The actual operating range for a given application is determined by many
factors, including power source and capture device sizes, desired efficiency, and the amount of power to
be transferred.

Q: How efficient is WiTricity technology?

A: The power transfer efficiency of a WiTricity solution depends on the relative sizes of the power source
and capture devices, and on the distance between the devices. Maximum efficiency is achieved when the
devices are relatively close to one another, and can exceed 95%.

Q: Does the efficiency depend on the coil shape or material?

A: Efficiency is primarily determined by the distance between the power source and capture device,
however, the shape may impact the efficiency. WiTricity uses validated models to predict the effects of
distance, shape, and materials on the performance of a given system configuration.

Q: Can WiTricity technology transfer power through walls or obstructions?

A: Most common building and furnishing materials, such as wood, gypsum wall board, plastics, textiles,
glass, brick, and concrete are essentially “transparent” to magnetic fields—enabling WiTricity technology
to efficiently transfer power through them. In addition, the magnetic near field has the ability to “wrap
around” many metallic obstacles that might otherwise block the magnetic fields, and still transfer power

Q: How well does WiTricity technology work in the presence of metal walls?
A: A metal wall that is much larger than, and between, the power source and capture device can act as a
barrier and prevent power transfer.

Q: How does WiTricity technology compare to traditional magnetic induction, like

that used in a charging mat or electric toothbrush?
A: Traditional magnetic induction requires that the power source and capture device be very close to one
another—usually within millimeters—to transfer power efficiently. That’s why many traditional inductive
charging solutions require a cradle to hold the capture device, or a mat on which the capture device must
rest. WiTricity technology is based on sharply resonant strong coupling, and is able to transfer power
efficiently even when the distances between the power source and capture device are several times the
size of the devices themselves.

Q: Where and when can I buy WiTricity products?

A: WiTricity technology is designed for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) to embed directly in
their products and systems. If your company is an OEM, please contact us to discuss your application in
more detail. If you are a consumer that is eager to purchase products that are WiTricity enabled, please
check back again at our website to learn about products that you can purchase with WiTricity inside.

WiTricity Corp. technology will be the medium that ties our existing
electric grid to a broad range of mobile and wireless devices—and enables the development of radically new and
improved consumer, commercial, and industrial devices. WiTricity Corp. is now actively developing the core
technology and additional intellectual property that will take this spectacular invention and turn it into commercially
available products. Our mission is to develop a family of wireless power components that will enable designers and
manufacturers in a broad range of industries to make their products truly “wireless”.

About the Company

WiTricity Corp. was founded in 2007 to commercialize an exciting new technology for wireless electricity
invented two years earlier at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  A team of physicists, led
by Professor Marin Soljačić, developed the theoretical basis for this novel method for wireless electric
power transfer in 2005, and validated their theories experimentally in 2007.  The magnetic fields of two
properly designed devices with closely matched resonant frequencies can couple into a single continuous
magnetic field. Prof. Soljačić's team showed how to use this phenomenon to enable the transfer of power
from one device to the other at high efficiency and over a distance range that is useful for real-world
applications.  This “strong coupling” enables the devices to exchange energy via magnetism, and avoids
the potential safety hazards and inefficiency often associated with radiated electro-magnetic energy. Their
demonstration of wireless power transfer showed a 60 watt light bulb being illuminated from a power
source over 2 meters away, and their results were published in the prestigious journal Science in July
2007.  More important than simply proving they could illuminate a light bulb, the experiment validated their
theoretical models of how electric power is wirelessly transferred as a function of the geometry, distance,
and electrical properties of the devices used. This demonstration achieved broad media attention when it
was announced, indicating both the intense public interest and commercial need for wireless power
transfer.  Prof. Soljačić was recognized with a MacArthur Fellowship (also known as “Genius Grant”) in
September 2008, awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.  In addition, his work
was recognized as one of the “Top Ten Emerging Technologies for 2008” by Technology Review, “Top
100 Science Stories of 2007” by Discover Magazine, and cited in The New York Times Magazine: “The
Year in Ideas – 2007.”

As the exclusive licensee of this MIT intellectual property, WiTricity Corp. was founded by Prof. Soljačić
and several colleagues from MIT.  WiTricity Corp. received its initial venture capital funding in November
of 2007 from Stata Ventures and Argonaut Private Equity.  Stata Ventures is a technology investment firm
managed by Ray Stata, the founder, Chairman, and former CEO of Analog Devices

The Brand Name

The press releases issued by MIT in 2006 and 2007 regarding the development of efficient mid-range
wireless power transfer by Prof. Soljačić and his colleagues triggered tremendous interest in wireless
electricity. Our brand name, WiTricity, has captured the interest and imagination of the media and
general public as well as the scientific and engineering communities. Note that the WiTricity brand name
was coined and registered by its inventors. It is a valuable trademark which WiTricity Corp. must
diligently protect. A trademark is always an adjective, never a noun. When referring to WiTricity, please
use it in the correct context: as the name of our corporation and as a brand name for technology and
products developed and sold by WiTricity Corporation. Please do not use the name to refer to wireless
electricity in a generic sense

How to get WiTricity (Wireless Electricity) in your own home

So, you want to actually have WiTricity in your home? It's actually not as complex as
you would at first think. It was first invented by Nikola Tesla in 1899 when he was able
to transfer massive amounts of power over 20 miles! Companies have been more than
capable of developing WiTricity for many decades now, but there wasn't really a reason
to. Until recently that is, with the advent of cellular phones and portable computing
devices! (I know... Pretty crazy!) There's finally a demand for wireless power sources.
Welcome to the age of "no more power cords" people! I'll take you step by step with
exactly what you'll need to get to take advantage of the new WiTricity consumer
products and finally say goodbye to those wires for good

Alright, so you're ready to get started? Well, first of all what you need is a device to transfer
power wirelessly from. Ecoupled is developing a number of these wireless power transferring
devices, to be released very soon (March/April 2009). One of the great things about these
devices is that they keep track of what objects nearby need to be charged, how much power the
device has, and the level needed to charge the device at the best efficiency. In fact, you may
already be using these devices without knowing it if you happen to own an eSpring water
purification system. (they had to figure out how to get rid of those pesky wires to make their
device more efficient... hmm... wonder how they fixed it?)

o 2

Secondly you'll have to get a hold of a secondary coil for the device to be charged. These, I
assume, will be released with the wireless power systems. It should conveniently go inside your
device, so don't worry that you'll have to carry around an awkward coil! Install the coil, or get it
installed for you, and it should be good to go!

Now all you have to do is just to be around the charger with your device, which definitely will not
be hard to do. Some example wireless power devices that have been shown off have been
installed in cars and desks, so eventually, you might not even remember the days when there
was such a thing as "batteries".