Telekinesis: Making Things Move with Your Mind Now Possible
Author: Light Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, CAS
Published: 14 Jun 2022 - Updated: 15 Jun 2026
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Research, Study, Analysis
Contents: Synopsis - Definition - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates - Related Publications
Synopsis: This research, a peer-reviewed study published in the journal eLight and conducted by a joint team from Air Force Engineering University and the National University of Singapore, reports an early but significant step toward real-time, remote, and wireless mind control of metamaterials. The work is authoritative because it pairs measured simulation and test results with a clearly described framework, in which a brainwave module reads a user's attention level and transmits it over Bluetooth to drive the scattering behavior of a programmable metasurface. For readers in the disability community, seniors, and caregivers, the value lies in where this line of research could lead, since brain-driven control of devices points toward future assistive technologies, health and fatigue monitoring, and hands-free interfaces that do not depend on physical movement or manual switches.*
At a Glance
- 1 - The system uses a TGAM module to extract brainwave signals and convert them into an attention value that an Arduino translates into different output voltages.
- 2 - Testing took place inside a microwave anechoic chamber, where the operator's mind altered the metasurface coding sequence and changed how electromagnetic waves scattered.
- 3 - The authors suggest the approach could extend to areas as varied as reconfigurable antennas, 5G and 6G communications, and smart sensors.
- Topic Definition: Telekinesis
Telekinesis, sometimes used interchangeably with psychokinesis, refers to the claimed ability to influence or move a physical object using the mind alone, without any physical contact or intervention. In parapsychology and popular culture the two terms are often distinguished, with psychokinesis describing mental influence over physical systems in general and telekinesis specifically meaning the movement or levitation of objects by mental force. While telekinesis as a psychic power remains unproven, modern science is approaching a loose technological parallel through brain-computer interfaces, where measurable brainwave signals are captured and used to control devices and materials at a distance, turning a person's focused intent into a real, observable physical effect.
Introduction
Brainwave Mind Control of Metasurfaces Now Possible
Metamaterials have attracted extensive attention from many fields due to their extraordinary physical properties. It has provided researchers with a new concept of designing artificial materials, bringing vigor and vitality to advanced functional materials. As the two-dimensional counterpart to metamaterials, metasurfaces have unprecedented freedom in manipulating EM waves.
Through on-site programming, programmable metasurfaces (PMs) with multiple or switchable functions can be realized and further integrated with sensors or driven by pre-defined software. The self-adaptability significantly improves the response rate by removing human involvement. The switches among different functions on these PMs generally rely on manual operation. The fundamental framework is wire-connected, manually-controlled and non-real-time switched. Therefore, it is fascinating to construct an entire framework that can realize remote, wireless, real-time, mind-controlled functional metasurfaces
Main Content
In a new paper published in eLight, a joint team of scientists led by Professor Shaobo Qu & Professor Jiafu Wang from Air Force Engineering University, and Professor Cheng-Wei Qiu from the National University of Singapore have advanced the first step towards real-time, remote, and wireless mind control of metamaterials. Their paper, titled "Remotely Mind-controlled Metasurface via Brainwaves," proposes a framework for realizing this goal.
Traditionally, the involvement and participation of humans are usually necessary for many scenarios. A human should control the metasurface with their mind directly. It has also been well established that a human's brain will generate brainwaves in the process of thinking. The authors theorized that collecting brainwaves and using them as the control signals of metasurfaces would allow the users to control metasurfaces with their minds. It would also improve the response rate of metasurfaces. This development would mark an enormous step towards truly intelligent metasurfaces.
The research team achieved remote control by transmitting brainwaves wirelessly from the user to the controller via Bluetooth. The aim was to utilize the user's brainwaves to control the EM response of PMs. By taking this route, they demonstrated an RMCM where the user could control the scattering pattern.
The simulated and test results showed that the user's brainwaves directly controlled the outcome, with a significantly better control rate and switch rate. That indicates that their model was far superior to any existing model or product in the market. Their design can be further customized to improve the accuracy of their equipment.
The research team hopes to combine this with intelligent algorithms and improve the processes in the future. They believe that their work can be readily extended to other mind-controlled functional or multi-functional metasurfaces. It may find applications in areas as diverse as health monitoring, 5G/6G communications, and smart sensors.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The idea of moving objects or shaping invisible forces with thought alone has long lived in the realm of fiction, which makes this research notable for taking a careful, evidence-based step in that direction without overstating what it has achieved. What the team demonstrates is not magic but engineering - a measurable link between a person's focus and the behavior of a responsive material - and that distinction matters. For a field still in its infancy, the most promising takeaway is the foundation it lays for genuinely intelligent, mind-responsive technologies that could one day serve people whose needs are poorly met by devices requiring physical input.*Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Light Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, CAS and published on 14 Jun 2022, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.