Research and standardization activities of wireless power transfer via microwaves at Kyoto university

Abstract

Microwave power transfer (MPT) is a long-distance wireless power transfer (WPT) technology. At Kyoto University, since the 1980s, various MPT applications have been proposed and much MPT research has been done. The university has two large anechoic chambers for MPT research, which are open for collaborative studies. With these research facilities, we conducted a beam-forming experiment with a phased array to create a flat-top power beam in the near field with high beam efficiency and the high RF-DC conversion efficiency for a rectifying antenna, which is calculated by a genetic algorithm. On the basis of the university's research activities, we promote commercial MPT applications with a consortium called WiPoT, whose membership comprises 29 companies and 38 universities. In this study, these activities of Kyoto University are introduced.