All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The human body responds to Wi-Fi signals
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
At the University of Illinois, a team of scientists made an unusual discovery: as research has shown, organs and tissues of the human body can respond to Wi-Fi signals.
In their new study, scientists tried to find out whether wireless signals in any way affect the tissues of a living organism (human and animal) and the results of the experiments surprised scientists - tissues are capable of transmitting quite strong wireless signals.
Andrew Seager and his colleagues used pieces of pork and beef liver in their work, through which the specialists were able to watch streaming video from Netflix (an American company that provides the ability to watch movies and TV series on the Internet on a special site). Andrew Signer's team was able to experimentally prove that wireless signals pass through pieces of meat, and quite powerful ones, which are suitable for watching streaming video (uploaded to the Internet). In their work, the researchers were able to obtain an information transfer rate through pieces of meat of up to 30 Mbit, which, according to scientists, is enough to overcome the obstacles that arise in the path of medical prostheses today and which are implanted inside the human body. Dr. Signer noted that their discovery can help develop ways to control medical devices inserted into the human body.
The researchers explained that human tissues and organs also respond to wireless signals, which will allow replacing radio frequency devices in medical practice, the main purpose of which is to control medical devices implanted in the body. Today, devices inside the human body are controlled using ultrasound signals, and the discovery by Signer's team will help avoid a number of problems that currently arise. First of all, doctors cannot currently increase the power of the radio signal, since high frequencies have a negative effect on organs and systems that are near the embedded device.
In addition to the meat tests, Signer's team has already developed a prototype ultrasound device specifically designed for use in the human body. The prototype was developed using the principle of ultrasound communication devices used underwater.
Dr. Signer explained the principle of the new device quite simply: a person is a set of bones and various tissues surrounded by a large amount of liquid, and the exchange of data in the ocean and inside the human body is practically no different.
According to Signer's research group, their discovery will make the process of transmitting and receiving signals by medical devices inside the human body less aggressive, in particular, avoiding heating of adjacent tissues. In addition, Dr. Signer noted that the capabilities of a wireless network will allow the use of a whole network of implants in the human body, which will also be able to interact with each other.