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 researchers have debuted Power on skin. The technology allows electrical currents to pass through human skin to power consumer wearables such as blood sugar monitors, pacemakers and even smartglass fitness trackers.

The researchers note that the technology is still “in its early stages.” Currently, they have demonstrated technology that supports low-power electronics, such as the LED earring shown above.

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