Layer's ceramic trays can wirelessly charge electronic devices
Benjamin Hubert's design studio Layer has created a collection of slip-cast ceramic trays with an integrated charging system that allows tablets and mobile phones to be powered wirelessly.
![Ceramic Charge Tray's by Benjamin Hubert's brand Layer let you wirelessly charge your smartphone](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/charge-tray-layer-benjamin-hubert-bitossi-ceramiche-ceramics-product-design-technology_dezeen_936_6.jpg)
The London-based studio collaborated with Italian ceramics brand Bitossi Ceramiche to produce the collection, which includes four different sizes of trays in four ceramic finishes.
![Ceramic Charge Tray's by Benjamin Hubert's brand Layer let you wirelessly charge your smartphone](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/charge-tray-layer-benjamin-hubert-bitossi-ceramiche-ceramics-product-design-technology_dezeen_936_9.jpg)
"The Charge Tray collection exudes high craft rather than high tech," said Layer. "With a design language informed by crafted homewares, [the collection] minimises the visual impact of technology in the home and enables easy wireless charging of technology devices."
![Ceramic Charge Tray's by Benjamin Hubert's brand Layer let you wirelessly charge your smartphone](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/charge-tray-layer-benjamin-hubert-bitossi-ceramiche-ceramics-product-design-technology_dezeen_936_0.jpg)
Each tray encompasses a compression-moulded silicone module on its underside that houses the wireless charging system.
Wireless charging – also known as induction charging – powers up mobile devices by using an electromagnetic field to transfer energy.
![Ceramic Charge Tray's by Benjamin Hubert's brand Layer let you wirelessly charge your smartphone](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/charge-tray-layer-benjamin-hubert-bitossi-ceramiche-ceramics-product-design-technology_dezeen_936_8.jpg)
When in contact, a magnetically charged coiled wire within the station induces a current in another coil located in the device, which can then use that energy to charge its own battery.
![Ceramic Charge Tray's by Benjamin Hubert's brand Layer let you wirelessly charge your smartphone](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/charge-tray-layer-benjamin-hubert-bitossi-ceramiche-ceramics-product-design-technology_dezeen_936_15.jpg)
Swedish furniture giant Ikea has also aimed to do away with chargers entirely by integrating wireless ports into a range of furniture and homeware.
![Ceramic Charge Tray's by Benjamin Hubert's brand Layer let you wirelessly charge your smartphone](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/charge-tray-layer-benjamin-hubert-bitossi-ceramiche-ceramics-product-design-technology_dezeen_936_14.jpg)
The Charge Tray collection first launched in April 2016 at Milan design week, and was first presented in the UK during Clerkenwell Design Week the following month.
![Ceramic Charge Tray's by Benjamin Hubert's brand Layer let you wirelessly charge your smartphone](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/06/charge-tray-layer-benjamin-hubert-bitossi-ceramiche-ceramics-product-design-technology_dezeen_936_11.jpg)
During the festival, which took place from 24 to 26 May 2016, Hubert also unveiled a 3D-printed wheelchair and a range of seating for Moroso with knitted mesh backs.
The British designer relaunched his company as Layer in September 2015. The studio has since launched a charity collection box for Maggie's, a concept wearable that could track individual carbon footprints and a modular screen system made up of triangular hemp tiles.