While cellular networks and Wi-Fi systems are more advanced than ever, they are also quickly reaching their bandwidth limits. Scientists know that in the near future they'll need to transition to much higher communication frequencies than what current systems rely on, but before that can happen there are a number of—quite literal—obstacles standing in the way.

Researchers from Brown University and Rice University say they've advanced one step closer to getting around these solid obstacles, like walls, furniture and even people—and they do it by curving light.

In a new study published in Communications Engineering, the researchers describe how they are helping address one of the biggest logjams emerging in wireless communication.