Tesla was way way way ahead of his time.

Its a few months old but still worth mentioning.

"A system that can deliver power to devices without the need for wires has been shown off at a hi-tech conference.

The technique exploits simple physics and can be used to charge a range of electronic devices over many metres. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8165928.stm

the problem with it is the same now as it was in tesla's day, its very inefficient, only a tiny fraction of the power beamed out is able to be received at the other end, and the longer the distance the more inefficient it gets

you can even test this using radio and tv waves, it takes something like a 30 foot antenna to receive enough power to run a wristwatch, yet at the source(s) the stations are broadcasting a combined hundreds of megawatts of power

Right right, Definitely some good points. At one point telsa talked about tapping into electric field of earth. I know they aren't doing that here but its a start. The fusion reactors are coming along nicely. Getting out more than they put in for short periods of time is interesting stuff. Crystal radios always fascinated me. Definitely have to talk more but at the moment much of the links and knowledge about a plethora of subjects eludes me. I don't bring this stuff up in everyday conversation so it will take a while to gather my thoughts. As always cheers! I do enjoy our intellectual discussions on a variety of subjects.

Fusion reactors are coming along just like efficient models for solar power, the break through is just on the horizon. Like it has been for decades. Not to totally off track your discussion, what needs to be looked at more than new ways of making or transmission of power is a breakthrough in the efficiency. Smart grid, HVDC, and others.

EDIT: Thinkgeek had this for sale a few aprils ago
http://a0.vox.com/6a00d09e7bc293be2b00e3989de5c00002-320pi

Lol nice link. Yeah efficiency is key. Im surprised no one has found a way of capturing excess heat radiating off electronics and converting it back into electricity. Sure it wouldn't be efficient at the start but it seems we have massive ac units for server rooms, fans for 360s pcs etc. if there was a way to use some of that heat it would be beneficial. Off topic slightly but not much Its amazing how long people used mains ac in holiday lights. Transformers have been around a long time and no one thought hey running 120/240 through a string of lights wouldn't be dangerous? Wt? This is the stuff Im talking about. Its like the people who now capture their gutters into barrels. Environmentally friendly or not, that is free water you can use for gardening etc. Some of this stuff just seems common sense and make sense budget wise.

I was talking to an engineering about solar panel design he said the depth relativity of solar panels means by the time the light is absorbed not much of it is. Basically the way some solar panels are now its like the depth of the grand canyon at the microscope level. He was talking about making a shallower canyon with more surface area.

the problem with solar is that it is costly, fragile, and inefficient. The thing no one seems to recognize is that the semi conductor process uses a lot of energy and creates a lot of waste.