The Future Is in the Air: UT Dallas Pioneers Long-Range Wireless Charging
At The University of Texas at Dallas, a groundbreaking work led by Dr. Ifana Mahbub, Associate Professor of Eric Jonsson School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is advancing the frontier of long-distance wireless energy transfer. With support from her research team, Dr. Mahbub is tackling one of the most complex engineering challenges: delivering power wirelessly across significant distances without compromising efficiency.
“As distance increases, efficiency drops dramatically. Our goal is to reverse that trend and make wireless power viable at scale,” said Dr. Mahbub.
“We envision a future where charging your phone could be as seamless as connecting to Wi-Fi.”
Charging the Future Wirelessly
One major focus of the team’s research is in-flight wireless charging for drones, a technology with transformative potential for defence, logistics, and public safety. Their prototype system tracks drones in motion and dynamically steers a power beam toward them, keeping them charged mid-flight.
The team has developed a sophisticated power-beaming setup that includes a 16×32 phased-array transmit antenna and an 8×8 receive antenna array, with real-time measurement and signal processing systems. Using this configuration, they analyze beam behaviour, optimize receiver circuitry, and map power distribution across various conditions.
Their ultimate vision: “power routers” that beam energy much like Wi-Fi routers, enabling smartphones and wearables to charge effortlessly while users move about homes, offices, and airports.
National Defence & Beyond
With funding from the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the team is developing scalable, long-range wireless charging systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These systems aim to extend UAV mission duration and eliminate the constraints of onboard batteries—a leap forward in national defence and emergency response capabilities.
Wireless Implants for Brain Health
In addition to their aerospace work, the lab is exploring biomedical applications, including a wirelessly powered implant for optogenetic neuromodulation. This miniaturized device can record neural activity and transmit it wirelessly, offering a new path forward for treating conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, all while staying within the FCC compliance.
“This work spans engineering, neuroscience, and medicine,” said Dr. Mahbub. “It’s exciting to contribute to solutions that could redefine how we interact with technology and improve lives.”
The Future Is Wireless
Dr. Mahbub’s research exemplifies UT Dallas’s commitment to interdisciplinary innovation and cutting-edge technology.
Having visionary leadership and a dedicated team, her lab is shaping a future where wires are optional and wireless power is everywhere.
Through innovative engineering and visionary research, UT Dallas is playing a leading role in the future of wireless power systems. From defense to healthcare, these technologies promise safer, smarter, and more sustainable solutions, bringing us one step closer to a world without wires.