Innovations in Inductive Wireless Power Transfer Technologies Across Various Frequency Applications

Wireless charging immediately brings to mind mobile phones, where this technology offers the significant advantage of eliminating the need for cables. At most, the conversation extends to electric vehicles, where the integration of highly efficient wireless charging systems stands as a central challenge to advancing fully autonomous and sustainable mobility. However, wireless charging applications extend far beyond these areas, paving the way for innovations that are transforming multiple technological sectors. In recent years, this technology has been adopted in a wide range of contexts, from consumer electronics to industrial and biomedical fields, positioning itself as an enabling solution for new technologies and enhancing the quality of life by automating tasks that previously required human intervention. This dissertation aims to contribute to the advancement of wireless charging in new domains, using an approach based on the synergistic optimization of three fundamental aspects of power electronics: magnetics, circuitry, and control. This approach has been applied to various real-world cases, all unified by the use of wireless power transfer yet differing in their operating frequencies, which range from grid frequency to tens MHz. While the underlying power conversion principles remain consistent, the operating frequency significantly alters the application and design challenges. The aim is to present a body of work that follows a rigorous methodology applicable to various contexts beyond those specifically addressed here, while simultaneously providing a comprehensive overview of the diverse opportunities offered by this technology. In particular, this dissertation addresses four key themes: the development of a sensor for protecting high-voltage grids from lightning strikes, new solutions for enhancing efficiency in mobile applications in collaboration with Google, a wireless charging system for fully autonomous drones developed as part of the European Energy ECS project, and finally, the development of an isolated integrated circuit for gate drive applications in collaboration with Infineon Technologies. The objective of this work is to offer a meaningful contribution to research, providing insights that expand the applications of wireless charging in relatively unexplored sectors, while fostering the development of new technological opportunities aimed at improving efficiency and driving innovation.