How do you figure that?  The experiment I cited used aerials less than 2 square feet in size.  Over time, and practice, it is likely that the size of such an arial will be reduced in size, rather than increase.

The article cited describes the use of near field resonance energy transfer. "Near field" means energy does not get radiated away into space, which is good. It also means transfer efficiency decreases exponentially in just a few wavelengths, which is bad. The "resonance" part, which is the advance that they are describing, gains you a few extra wavelengths, but no more.

As Andrew correctly notes, "near field" implies that both receiver and transmitter have to be of a size similar to the distance between them. You can do much better with a focussed far field microwave beam, but that still requires HUGE receiver rectennas that are entirely too large to put on a climber, due to the much larger wavelength of microwaves compared to light.

Andreas

The optical system uses energy to generate light.  Unfortunately, to power the climbers we need something that gives off energy.

The light may end up being used in the communications laser, the libar and the ribbon repair equipment.

I've always felt that using mechanical propulsion would not work either due to friction and abrasion of the ribbon, or the sheer slowness of the technology. Using magnetic (or electromagnetic) propulsion seemed to be the way to go. No mechanical drive parts to wear out. No friction/abrasion on the ribbon. No antennae on the lifter, causing drag in the lower atmosphere, and excess weight (less cargo capacity).

If it becomes possible to extrude a ribbon with built-in conductors/superconductors, then the ribbon itself could be used to transfer power to the lifter. If graphene technology progresses, maybe the ribbon could be made of one type of graphene, utilizing a mandrel with varied seed crystals to orient the carbon for the particular portion of the cross-section of the ribbon (structural, conductor, insulator, or combinations thereof). Once completed, the upper terminus could have a solar panel farm to provide power which is fed to the ribbon. The excess power could be sold to anyone located around the base of the ribbon for use/distribution (another incentive for providing the location).

Also, by elimination mechanical interaction between the lifter and the ribbon, speed would only be limited by drag in the lower atmosphere. You could start the lifter and keep it below the speed of sound until you're above 90% of the atmosphere, and then accelerate to your final velocity. If you go 1,000 mph, you could get to GO in about 24 hours (a lot better than 7 days). Or maybe 6,000 mph, making it about a 4 hour trip.