Continuing the discussion from What new Expansion Card types do you want to see released?:
I have a cooling pad with fans (one of these), which are normally powered by USB (via JST-XH connectors).
I’m missing the USB side of this cable, and in remaking it, I’ve been thinking about other ways these fans could be powered. One thought I had was that an expansion card could be fitted with an induction coil (like a Qi charger), and the fans could be powered via a receiving coil in the base.
I’m not an electrician: how is this in theory? Would it be feasible to generate an induction field strong enough to power those fans? Can it be done without burning anything?
The specific use case of powerign fans aside: would it be possible incorporate a wireless (ie. Qi) charger into an expansion port, either for trickle-charging the laptop, or for using the laptop (upside down and presumably plugged into wall power) to charge another device?
And, followup thought: would it be possible for an expansion card with an induction coil to still have a USB-C port (possibly with reduced capability)?