As computing technology advances, enabling the creation of more compact wearable electronics with numerous functionalities, the challenge of power supply persists and intensifies. While some devices harness solar energy through solar panels, batteries continue to serve as the primary power source.
Researchers at the Future Interfaces Group laboratory have proposed a potential solution through a method known as Power-over-Skin. This innovative approach utilizes the radiofrequency energy present within the human body. According to the study’s authors, simply making contact with the user’s skin will be sufficient to power the wearable device.
A recent scientific study indicates that the human body can produce energy at a frequency of 40 MHz effectively. This energy can be harnessed using a specialized receiver, allowing it to be converted into electricity suitable for powering small wearable devices, including medical sensors and smart rings.
If this technology proves to be free of adverse effects, it has the potential to transform the electronics landscape. Wearable devices could become lighter and more compact, while reliance on rare earth metals, commonly used in battery production, would diminish. However, a limitation of this advancement is its inability to supply power to high-demand system components, such as central and graphics processors.
The researchers also highlighted the significance of the transmitter’s location on the human body. They investigated four specific sites: the stomach, the sole of the foot, the left wrist, and the face. Each transmitter was paired with six receivers positioned on the right ankle, the back of the neck, the chest, both biceps, and the left index finger. The highest recorded power output was 1.53 mW, achieved with the closest proximity between the transmitter and receiver, while the lowest was 5.3 μW. Additionally, the study found that energy transmission through clothing is feasible, although it does lead to a decrease in efficiency.
While the commercial application of the Power-over-Skin technique remains a distant prospect, this research highlights its validity and significant potential.
