David Anderton
First steps towards to space elevator!
Mzungu_Mkubwa
Okay, remote powering via lasers? Why isn't this revolutionizing electric-powered transportation of all kinds? Our "flying cars" could be electric!
Also, sending power from earth to a satellite? What about the other way around, folks? A geo-stationary satellite loaded up with solar panels and a high powered laser beamin' that stuff down to a collector on earth! Here's where we need the power, not up there! :-)
MrGadget
Wouldn't this allows the stalker to be easily targeted by laser guided missle?
Nantha Nithiahnanthan
Great! This is the future of energy transfer! Much reduced weight. Just like the electric train, trolley bus, etc. The system may have issues with weather and clarity of air, though.
But on a larger scale, the fixed energy sources for transportation has huge benefits. The same reason why electric vehicles can get their power from lines while on express ways, making range a non-issue. That will be quite like those electrified track toy racing cars we had as kids.
David Evans
A 1 watt laser is considered to be dangerous. Powering a small car like this would need at least 5,000 watts of laser power. A flying car, much more. Either would be insanely dangerous in a city.
Mr E
When you start talking 5000 watts of laser output you have to consider the efficiency of the laser. We used to get 10% efficiency out of a CO2 laser so you would require 50,000 watts to generate the 5000 watts.
People are complaining about the the hazard windmills are to birds but can you imagine the pile of roast duck you would have with a 5000 watt laser.
I think the low power system is ingenious but let's not get carried away.
DaveWesely
Too bad we can't get this type of funding for innovation in products we can actually use.:| A good use for this technology would be for an airborn wireless router to serve broadband internet competitively. Don't think it will happen though, ATT, Cox, Verizon etc. would use their political influence to get the FAA to nix it.
jerryd
This system is so dangerous it should be banned. Some poor pilot passing anywhere above it would be permantly blinded or any bird roasted.
Next the costs are huge.
One would be 100th the cost just by using 2 battery powered ones, one being charged while the other flys at 10% of the foolcell version or 100th, maybe 1,000th the laser version.
esar
I think it's time to look at tesla's work on radiant energy transmission
Captain Obvious
"Why isn't this revolutionizing electric-powered transportation of all kinds?" Because the efficiency is too low, and the costs are too high. Fails the back of the napkin rough calculation test, sorry.