AM: Ultrasound technology for wireless underwater device charging developed

Amid increasing 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 proposed an alternative to conventional wireless charging methods. They developed a flexible, biodegradable ultrasound-powered receiver capable of uninterrupted energy transfer even through biological tissue. The findings were published in *Advanced Materials*.

Unlike electromagnetic induction and radiofrequency charging, which suffer from 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 implantable devices and wearable electronics.

Led by Dr. Sunghoon Hur and Professor Hyunchul Sohn, the team designed a receiver using high-efficiency piezoelectric materials with a unique structure that maintains performance even when bent. The device delivers 20 mW of power over 3 cm underwater and 7 mW through 3 cm of tissue—sufficient to operate pacemakers, neurostimulators, biosensors, and other low-power devices.

This innovation paves the way for widespread use of ultrasound charging in medicine, as well as in marine drones and sensors requiring long-term, maintenance-free energy solutions.

“Our studies confirm that ultrasonic power transfer is feasible for real-world applications,” noted Dr. Hur. The team is currently refining the technology for miniaturization and commercial rollout.

Earlier, researchers accelerated quantum computing using light-matter interactions.