Boosting your device’s battery out of thin air is closer to becoming a reality after the Federal Communications Commission Wednesday approved an “over the air, power at a distance” wireless charging technology.

The company behind it, San Jose-based Energous Corp., had its first-generation WattUp Mid Field transmitter certified, which could mean a door opening to an era of truly wireless charging. The company’s shares shot up 168 percent Wednesday, to a record $23.70.

The technology does not require that a device be connected to any kind of charging pad. By using the energy from radio frequencies, the WattUp transmitter can charge a number of gadgets from up to 15 feet away. Right now it has only been approved to cover a distance of three feet, which means the transmitter might be good for the home or office, but that would be a far cry from omnipresent charging.

The entire gamut of devices is included, from smartphones to game controllers to smart watches, but there is one pretty big catch. That is, to use the transmitter the device will have to be fitted with the necessary components to receive the signal. Energous is said to be working with technology companies right now.

“Untethered, wire-free charging, such as charging a fitness band even while wearing it, is exactly what consumers have been waiting for,” Stephen R. Rizzone, president and chief executive officer of Energous, said in a statement. “We are now in a position to move our consumer electronics, IoT and smart home customers forward at an accelerated pace.”

Energous will demonstrate the WattUp charger at CES, the consumer electronics show, which begins Jan. 9.

Image: Martin Abegglen via Flickr