Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have made a groundbreaking advancement by developing a new technology called "Power-Over-Skin," which allows electric current to pass through human skin to power consumer-grade wearable devices such as blood glucose monitors, pacemakers, smart glasses, and fitness trackers.
Image source: Carnegie Mellon University
This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way wearable devices are powered, making battery-free devices a reality. The researchers note that the technology is still in its "early stages." Currently, they have demonstrated technology that supports low-power electronic products, such as the LED earrings shown in the image above.
"It's similar to how a radio uses air as a medium between the transmitter and the car speakers," said Andy Kong, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, explaining that they are using body tissue as a transmission medium to deliver energy to these devices.
