AM: Ultrasound technology developed for wireless underwater device charging

Amid rising demand for underwater electronics and medical implants requiring stable, safe power sources, researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and Korea University have introduced an alternative to conventional wireless charging methods. They designed a flexible, biodegradable ultrasound-powered receiver capable of delivering continuous energy even through body tissues. The study appeared in *Advanced Materials*.

Unlike electromagnetic induction and radiofrequency charging, which struggle with low efficiency in biological tissues and cause electromagnetic interference, ultrasound is human-safe and minimally absorbed by the body. This makes it highly promising for powering implants and wearable electronics.

Led by Dr. Sunghoon Hur and Professor Hyunchul Son, the team engineered a receiver from high-efficiency piezoelectric materials with a unique structure that maintains performance even when bent. The device delivers 20 mW at 3 cm underwater and 7 mW through 3 cm of skin—sufficient for pacemakers, neurostimulators, biosensors, and other low-power devices.

The breakthrough paves the way for widespread ultrasound charging in medicine, as well as marine drones and sensors needing long-term, maintenance-free energy.

“Our findings confirm the practical feasibility of ultrasonic energy transfer,” noted Dr. Hur. The team is now refining the technology for miniaturization and commercialization.

Previously, researchers accelerated quantum computing by coupling light and matter.