In this paper, we introduce the basic principles of wireless power transfer using magnetic field resonance and describe techniques for the design of a resonant magnetic coil, the formation of a magnetic field distribution, and electromagnetic field (EMF) noise suppression methods. The experimental results of wireless power transfer systems in consumer electronics applications are discussed in terms of issues related to their efficiency and EMF noise. Furthermore, we present a passive shielding method and a magnetic field cancellation method using a reactive resonant current loop and the utilization of these methods in an online electric vehicle (OLEV) system, in which an OLEV green transportation bus system absorbs wireless power from power cables underneath the road surface with only a minimal battery capacity.

For wireless charging of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, high-frequency magnetic fields are generated from magnetically coupled coils. The large air-gap between two coils may cause high leakage of magnetic fields and it may also lower the power transfer efficiency (PTE). For the first time, in this paper, we propose a new set of coil design formulas for high-efficiency and low harmonic currents and a new design procedure for low leakage of magnetic fields for high-power wireless power transfer (WPT) system. Based on the proposed design procedure, a pair of magnetically coupled coils with magnetic field shielding for a 1-kW-class golf-cart WPT system is optimized via finite-element simulation and the proposed design formulas. We built a 1-kW-class wireless EV charging system for practical measurements of the PTE, the magnetic field strength around the golf cart, and voltage/current spectrums. The fabricated system has achieved a PTE of 96% at the operating frequency of 20.15 kHz with a 156-mm air gap between the coils. At the same time, the highest magnetic field strength measured around the golf cart is 19.8 mG, which is far below the relevant electromagnetic field safety guidelines (ICNIRP 1998/2010). In addition, the third harmonic component of the measured magnetic field is 39 dB lower than the fundamental component. These practical measurement results prove the effectiveness of the proposed coil design formulas and procedure of a WPT system for high-efficiency and low magnetic field leakage.

Wireless power transfer (WPT) technology is a promising way for convenient and safe battery charging without any electrical contact, which may cause an unwanted electric spark or deliver dangerous electric current to the users. When transferring power from the source to the battery, strong electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are generated. Moreover, the inverter output contains a wide range of harmonics. Therefore, it is important to reduce the EMFs and electromagnetic interference (EMI) in a WPT system. For the first time, in this paper, we propose a new tightly coupled three-phase resonant magnetic field (TC-TPRMF) charger for a drone operating at 60 kHz, which can completely eliminate the third harmonic and its integer multiples in the output voltage. Furthermore, to reduce the selective EMI, the conduction angle control is proposed for the WPT charging system. Through a series of measurements, we verified that the proposed TC-TPRMF with the conduction angle control can reduce the seventh and 11th harmonics of the Tx current by 6.08 and 11.84 dBμA, respectively. The coil-to-coil power transfer efficiency and total system power transfer efficiency are maintained at 91% and 72%, respectively.

Current wireless power transfer (WPT) systems have limited charging distance and high induced electromagnetic field (EMF) leakage. Thus, we first proposed a thin printed circuit board (PCB) type hybrid metamaterial slab (HMS) combining two kinds of metamaterial cell structures. The metamaterial cells in the center area of the HMS have zero relative permeability and straighten the magnetic field direction. The metamaterial cells located at the edges of the HMS have negative relative permeability and change the outgoing magnetic fields to opposite direction by magnetic boundary condition. Therefore, the magnetic field can be more confined between transmitter and receiver coils, enhancing the power transfer efficiency, while decreasing the EMF leakage in a WPT system. In this paper, we demonstrated that increased power transfer efficiency from 34.5% to 41.7% and reduced EMF leakage from -19.21 to -26.03 dBm in 6.78-MHz WPT system. Furthermore, we proposed new analysis method for relative permeability measurement of the metamaterial using a novel cubic structure with perfect electrical conductor and perfect magnetic conductor boundary.

In this paper, we designed and demonstrated a smartwatch strap wireless charging system for the first time. First, we designed a flexible PCB coil, shielding material, and receiver (Rx) circuit in a watchstrap. In the design process, we proposed a model for the flexible PCB coil with a bending radius of 40 mm and shielding materials. We used a flexible PCB coil that has 215 μm thickness with dimensions of 54.5 mm x 16 mm. In addition, ferrite core and sheet are applied on the transmitter (Tx) and Rx coils. We verified the proposed model through a 3D EM simulation and measurement in the frequency and time domains. The proposed flexible PCB coil inductance modeling results showed 7.5% and 3.4% errors when compared to the 3D EM simulation and measurement results, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrated the smartwatch strap wireless charging system using an LG Watch Urbane. A resonance frequency of 100 kHz with the series-series tuning topology is used in accordance with the Qi specifications. Finally, we achieved 30% dc-dc power transfer efficiency and exposed magnetic field of 270 mG 1 cm away from the system through measurements.

Current wireless power transfer (WPT) technology can only allow power transfer over a limited distance because, as the distance between the transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) coils increases, the power transfer efficiency (PTE) decreases with a steep slope, while the electromagnetic field (EMF) leakage increases. In order to increase the PTE and decrease the EMF leakage simultaneously, we need to develop a method to concentrate the magnetic fields between the Tx and Rx coils. In this paper, we proposed a novel metamaterial structure to realize high efficiency and low EMF leakage. Metamaterials can confine the magnetic fields between the Tx and Rx coils by negative relative permeability. We designed and fabricated a thin metamaterial using a 1.6-mm dual layer printed circuit board (PCB) with a high dielectric constant substrate and a fine pattern to achieve a negative relative permeability with low loss at 6.78 MHz. The thin PCB-type metamaterial has a wide range of applications with low fabrication cost, light weight, and a simple fabrication process. We demonstrated a 44.2% improvement in the PTE and 3.49-dBm reduction in the EMF leakage around the WPT system at 20-cm distance. Furthermore, we first analyzed metamaterials from an EMF point of view using the 3-D magnetic field scanner. Finally, we discussed a combination of metamaterials and ferrites to further improve the PTE and reduce the EMF leakage for long-distance mobile WPT systems.