When you think about transferring data, you think about either WiFi or Bluetooth (or infrared if you’re old like me). But a team at the University of Washington have found a way to transfer small amounts of information through the human body rather than over the air.

As the researchers put it in their paper, the human holds two devices - one in each hand. And using the low-frequency electromagnetic transmissions generated by the touch pad of a laptop or a fingerprint sensor, they can use that to transfer small amounts of data.

That unlocks fascinating opportunities both figuratively and literally - you could unlock car doors and smart homes with this small amount of electricity.

That means a new level of security beyond bluetooth locks.

And while you’re not going to be transferring full movies anytime soon (scientists were able to get a data rate of 50 bits per second with laptop touch pads and 25 bits with fingerprint sensors), this is still an incredible achievement.