The innovation of battery-free devices has taken an unexpected direction with the introduction of Power-Over-Skin by Carnegie Mellon researchers. This technology enables electrical currents to pass through human skin to power devices such as blood sugar monitors, pacemakers, and even consumer wearables like smart glasses and fitness trackers.
The researchers acknowledge that the technology is still in its early stages. Currently, they have demonstrated its capabilities by supporting low-power electronics like the LED earring shown in the image above.
“It’s similar to how a radio uses the air as the medium between the transmitter station and your car stereo,” explains CMU researcher Andy Kong. “In this case, we are utilizing body tissue as the medium for transmitting the power.”
