Power Over Skin

Well, we seem to be getting closer to earpods that never need recharging. Here’s hoping!
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed some new tech dubbed "Power-over-Skin" that could change the way we power wearable devices.
This innovative technology allows for the transmission of power across the human body, eliminating the need for bulky batteries in wearable devices. By harnessing the body's natural conductivity, Power-over-Skin enables a single power source to supply energy to multiple devices, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and medical sensors.

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​The benefits are clear: 

• By removing the need for batteries, wearable devices can be made significantly smaller and lighter leading to sleeker unobtrusive designs.
  
• Power-over-Skin ensures a constant supply of energy, eliminating the need for frequent charging.
  
• Medical Applications: Power-over-Skin technology can enable the development of advanced medical devices that can be continuously monitored and powered without the need for battery replacements.
  

How does it work?

• RF Energy Transmission: A transmitter, often a larger device like a smartphone or smartwatch, emits low-power radio frequency (RF) energy.
  
• Body as a Conductor: The human body, with its conductive properties, efficiently transmits this energy.
  
• Powering Wearable Devices: The received energy is then used to power smaller wearable devices like smart rings, health monitors, or even tiny displays.
  

Ep 258  Image from : ​https://www.figlab.com/research/2024/PowerOverSkin