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"Current electronic medical implants are an impressive feat of modern science, but the large batteries and difficult recharging processes dictate their use and placement in the body.\nResearchers at Stanford University have developed a new method for transferring power into the body, which could lead to tiny, wireless medical implants no larger than a grain of rice. \nSee also: 3D-Printed Heart Implant Could Save Lives\nAda Poon, lead researcher and assistant professor of electrical engineering at Stanford, created a new way to control electromagnetic waves inside the body, combining the characteristics of near-field and far-field waves.\nIn practice, you could charge an implant by holding a power source about the size of a credit card above the implant, outside of the body. \n\"We need to make these devices as small as possible to more easily implant them deep in the body and create new ways to treat illness and alleviate pain,\" Poon said.\nThe researchers have tested the implants and charging technology in a pig and a rabbit, and now, the team is preparing to test the system on humans.\nStill, it could be some time before we see the technology in use; according to the university, it may take \u201Cseveral years\u201D to satisfy safety requirements.\nThe findings were published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/05/20/wireless-implants/>