The increased use of wearable devices, such as smart watches and health sensors, has given rise to wireless networks that can be placed on a person’s body for these applications. Limitations of these networks include energy inefficiency and vulnerability to data security eavesdropping, The conductive textile creates a wireless body sensor network that allows devices to transmit data with a signal that is 1,000 times stronger than that of conventional technologies. Source: National University of Singaporebecause they rely on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radio waves. Yet, a metamaterials solution developed by National University of Singapore researchers uses conductive textiles as energy efficient, secure, wireless body-sensor networks.

Clothing fashioned from conductive fabrics can support surface-plasmon-like modes at radio communication frequencies. The resulting body-sensor networks enhance transmission efficiencies by three orders of magnitude compared to conventional radiative networks, and confine wireless communication to within 10 cm of the body to improve data security. The battery life of wearable devices is also improved, as the network transmits data with 1,000 times stronger signal.

The materials are laser cut into a comb-shaped pattern that guides the radio waves that electronic devices use to communicate. The metamaterial is available in rolls and can be arranged in any pattern on clothes to connect different areas of the body, and conductive strips can even be cut or torn without interfering with wireless capabilities.