Inventor Meredith Perry has created a device that could end the need for cords in a digital world.

uBeam, a device that can wirelessly charge electronic devices works by, converting electricity into sound and sending it to a receiver that changes the sound back into electricity. Currently the device can not send ultrasound waves through walls, so instead uBeam uses square tiles for each room where the device is in use.

“It would be a really good idea,” sophomore Haley Evans said. “It would save the cost of power cords and having to buy new chargers.”

Perry hopes uBeam will become as well known as WiFi and equally as widespread.

“The dream is to replace all electrical outlets with uBeam transmitters,” Perry said in an interview with USA Today.

Some students believe uBeam will prove its usefulness in everyday life.

“That sounds sweet cause you can put it (uBeam) in public places and charge your phone and not even worry about it,” sophomore J. Austin said.

Currently uBeams are slim cases for mobile devices that act as the receptor. However, in the future, Perry plans to have receptors built into devices.

The device started as a winning invention at a competition Perry entered in her senior year at the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, she has hired contractors to help make the device smaller and has sold some stock in her company.

Although some students think uBeam could be beneficial they are concerned about the problems the device could pose.

“That sounds pretty useful, but there could be issues like overcharging,” junior Jake Winslow said.

Although overcharging in phones is technically impossible, leaving a device charged for too long can shorten its lifespan.

uBeam uses ultrasound to communicate with its receptors, which does not affect humans, but some animals, including dogs can hear ultrasound. It is unknown how high a frequency uBeam transmits at, so it is unclear whether this will be a legitimate problem for pet owners. However, it is still something to think about.

Whether or not uBeam takes off, the technology for cordless charging is here and we can expect to see it soon.

Send comments to [email protected]