Potatoes Absorb and Reflect Wi-Fi Signals

Potatoes Can Absorb and Reflect Wi-Fi Signals

Potatoes and Wi-Fi: Mashed, boiled, fried: most of our interactions with potatoes revolve entirely around preparing them for our plates. However, there are occasions when these starchy tubers have more scientific uses—like helping researchers test and adjust Wi-Fi signals. In these cases, potatoes serve as substitutes for human bodies, mimicking our shapes thanks to their similarly high water content.

While our bodies are composed of about 60% water, potatoes contain about 80%. All that water impacts our ability to connect to the Internet. In fact, Wi-Fi signals are transmitted by radio waves, which are easily absorbed by water. Even the water inside a potato (or human body) can reflect the signal and weaken its strength.

Although any container of water could technically do the trick, scientists have turned to bags of potatoes to more accurately test Wi-Fi in tricky places like airplanes. In 2012, Boeing packed about 9,000 kg of tubers into humanoid shapes on a grounded plane to observe the quality of Wi-Fi circulation in a crowded cabin.

Data collection took several days. So using motionless potato test subjects instead of human participants allowed researchers to do their work. Thanks to this setup, Boeing engineers were able to fine-tune Wi-Fi signals so they transmitted evenly throughout the airplane cabin and accounted for moving passengers and passing drink carts—ensuring the best possible Internet connection at 35,000 feet.

Potatoes are used to test Wi-Fi signals for several reasons

Potatoes have a similar water content to that of the human body. (About 80% for potatoes, 60% for humans). This allows them to simulate the effect of passengers on Wi-Fi signals.

They absorb and reflect radio waves. Like the human body, the water contained in potatoes can absorb and reflect Wi-Fi signals, affecting their strength and propagation.

They allow for prolonged testing. Unlike humans, potatoes can remain in place for long periods without moving. This facilitates thorough and consistent testing.

They are economical and practical. Using bags of potatoes is less expensive and simpler than hiring hundreds of people for long-term tests.

Links

• Boeing engineers use spuds to improve in-air Wi-Fi – Phys.org
• Sell used electronic device online – iGotOffer

Boeing Uses POTATOES To Test Their Wifi! [Video]

Video uploaded by Destination Tips on February 25, 2022.