Scientists have developed a new technology called Power-Over-Skin, which allows electricity to travel through the human body.
This could lead to a future where wearable devices, like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and health monitors, work without batteries.
The research team from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science has found a way to transmit power through the body instead of using bulky batteries.
This could allow smart devices to be smaller, lighter, and more convenient.
“We all want our electronics to keep improving,” says Andy Kong, a researcher on the project. “But charging wearable devices is a hassle. Power-Over-Skin could make these devices almost invisible, allowing them to work without needing battery replacements or charging.”
A future without batteries?
Many people rely on wearable devices for health monitoring—for example, people with diabetes use continuous glucose monitors, while others wear heart rate trackers or smart glasses. But all these devices require charging.
With Power-Over-Skin, a battery-powered transmitter worn on the body sends power to small wearable receivers, such as:
- A light-up earring
- A Bluetooth joystick embedded into a ring
During tests, participants wore these devices on different parts of the body, from the wrist to the ankle. The closer the device was to the transmitter, the more power it received.
“It’s similar to how a radio signal travels through the air to your car stereo,” Kong explains. “But in this case, we’re using the body as the medium for power transfer.”
The researchers also discovered a surprising way to improve power efficiency.
Previous research had used sine waves (which have a gradual curve) to send power. However, one day, the machine was accidentally left set to square waves (which turn on and off like a switch). To the researchers’ surprise, square waves worked much better—sending more power and being easier to generate.
Right now, Power-Over-Skin is still in its early stages. So far, it has been used to power small objects like LED lights. However, the researchers hope to increase the power by 10 times, which could allow for battery-free earbuds or smart glasses in the future.
While batteries won’t disappear overnight, this technology could change the way we power wearables. Imagine a future where you never have to charge your smartwatch, fitness tracker, or medical device—because your body itself transmits the power!
The next step for the research team is to explore how much power can safely travel through the body and what kinds of real-world devices can use this breakthrough.
Source: Carnegie Mellon University.
