Wearable and implantable sensors can be linked together to create multi-node wireless networks that could be of use in the development of advanced healthcare monitoring technologies. Such body area networks require secure, seamless and versatile communication links that can operate across the complex human body, but they typically suffer from short ranges, low power or the need for direct-connection terminals. Here we show that textile-integrated metamaterials can be used to drive long-distance near-field communication (NFC)-based magneto-inductive waves along and between multiple objects. The metamaterials are built from arrays of discrete, anisotropic magneto-inductive elements, creating a mechanically flexible system capable of battery-free communication among NFC-enabled devices that are placed anywhere close to the network. Our approach offers a secure and on-demand body area network that has the potential for straightforward expansion and can span across different pieces of clothing, objects and people.

可穿戴式和可植入式传感器可以连接在一起以创建多节点无线网络，可用于开发先进的医疗保健监测技术。这种体域网需要安全、无缝和通用的通信链路，可以在复杂的人体上运行，但它们通常会受到短距离、低功率或需要直接连接终端的影响。在这里，我们展示了纺织集成的超材料可用于沿着多个物体和在多个物体之间驱动基于长距离近场通信 (NFC) 的磁感应波。超材料由离散的各向异性磁感应元件阵列构成，创建了一个机械灵活的系统，能够在放置在靠近网络的任何位置的支持 NFC 的设备之间进行无电池通信。