Wireless power transfer in attenuating media

Abstract

Dissipative media (underground/underwater, biological materials and tissues, etc.) pose a challenge to inductive wireless power transfer systems as they generally attenuate the near fields that enable mutual coupling. Apart from this, the impact of the environment on electromagnetic fields can also be seen in the self-impedance of coils, resulting in significant eddy current losses and detuning effects. In this article, we study, theoretically, the mechanism of wireless power transfer via a pair of magnetic resonators inside an infinite homogeneous medium with a comprehensive circuit model that takes into account all the electromagnetic effects of the background medium. This analytical approach can offer deep insights into the design and operation of wireless charging systems in non-ideal environments.