A small wireless ‘monopole’ antenna that channels signals laterally and upwards along human skin, has been developed by researchers from Queen’s University, Belfast.

The power-efficient device designed by William Scalon and Gareth Conway takes advantage of the ‘creeping wave’ effect that allows waves to travel along a surface. Scalon and Conway hope this technique could broadcast signals over the human body to connect up medical implants or portable gadgets distributed around the body to work together.

Usually mast-style monopole antennas stand on a plate of conductive material to reflect signals travelling downwards, however, Scalon and Conway have flipped the design upside down, putting the plate on top of the antenna and away from the body. In doing this the signals are channeled along the skin.

A mismatch between the air and body tissue causes a reflection of sorts, according to Scalon, it is this reflection coupled with the conducting plate that channels the signals sideways. This also increases the efficiency of the antenna, which could double the battery life of body worn gadgets.