Wireless power?

Originally posted by Daemon Sin
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-10701182

Scientists in the UK have developed technology that allows power to be transmitted wirelessly through several inches of steel.

That's a bit of a misnomer. Acoustically you can't transmit much actual power. I know, I work with ultrasonic transducers. The problem with getting real power across is they heat up, so there are real limits as to how much you can get that way. Besides, the main thrust of the article is getting information across a steel barrier which is a whole 'nother story.

You need megahertz bandwidth to get video across and that can be done with ultrasonics a lot easier than trying for actual power. You might get a few watts across such a barrier but try for a kilowatt, forget it. This story is about sensors and saving money not having to drill holes in a submarine skin.