Researchers are developing a way to power wearable devices through human skin

The dream of battery-free devices has taken an unexpected turn, as Carnegie Mellon University researchers first show Power on the skin. This technology allows electrical currents to travel through human skin in an attempt to power things like blood sugar monitors, pacemakers, and even consumer wearables like fitness trackers and smart glasses.

The researchers note that the technology is still in the “early stages.” For now, they’ve demonstrated the technology that supports low-power electronics like the LED earring shown in the image above.

“It’s similar to how radio uses air as a medium between the transmitting station and a car stereo,” notes Carnegie Mellon University researcher Andy Kong. “We’re just using the body’s own tissue as a transport vehicle in this case.”