Wireless power or wireless energy transmission is the transmission of electrical energy from a power source to an electrical load without

man-made conductors. W ireless transmission is useful in cases where interconnecting wires are inconven ient, hazardous, or impossible. The problem of wireless power transmission diffe rs from that of wireless telecommunications, such as radio. In the latter, the p roportion of energy received becomes critical only if it is too low for the sign al to be distinguished from the background noise.[1] With wireless power, effic iency is the more significant parameter. A large part of the energy sent out by the generating plant must arrive at the receiver or receivers to make the system economical. The most common form of wireless power transmission is carried out using direct induction followed by resonant magnetic induction. Other methods under considera tion are electromagnetic radiation in the form of microwaves or lasers[2] and el ectrical conduction through natural media.[3] An electric current flowing through a conductor, such as a wire, carries electri cal energy. When an electric current passes through a circuit there is an elect ric field in the dielectric surrounding the conductor; magnetic field lines arou nd the conductor and lines of electric force radially about the conductor.[4] In a direct current circuit, if the current is continuous, the fields are consta nt; there is a condition of stress in the space surrounding the conductor, which represents stored electric and magnetic energy, just as a compressed spring or a moving mass represents stored energy. In an alternating current circuit, the f ields also alternate; that is, with every half wave of current and of voltage, t he magnetic and the electric field start at the conductor and run outwards into space with the speed of light.[5] Where these alternating fields impinge on anot her conductor a voltage and a current are induced.[4] Any change in the electrical conditions of the circuit, whether internal[6] or e xternal[7] involves a readjustment of the stored magnetic and electric field ene rgy of the circuit, that is, a so-called transient. A transient is of the genera l character of a condenser discharge through an inductive circuit. The phenomeno n of the condenser discharge through an inductive circuit therefore is of the gr eatest importance to the engineer, as the foremost cause of high-voltage and hig h-frequency troubles in electric circuits.[8]