Influence as a challenger to induction for near-field wireless power transfer

We introduce what we call "Influence" WPT technology, which can be perceived as the dual of magnetic induction WPT. In Influence systems, two or more electric circuits are coupled by electric fields whereas Induction systems involve magnetic field coupling. We propose an unconventional approach to describe and study Influence, using coupling matrices, in analogy with the treatment of Inductive coupling, albeit with a larger number of parameters. In spite of their different natures, both technologies enable non-radiative near-field energy transfer at mid-range, and display interesting and sometimes counter-intuitive behaviors.