MADISON, Wis. -- Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a rapidly expanding technology that many people have probably never heard of, but experts say that the public should know about it because it has the potential to help -- and perhaps invade -- nearly every aspect of our lives.

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RFID technology uses radio waves along with microchips and antennas called tags to give an object a unique number. It's similar to the idea of a Social Security number for items. Receiving devices called readers then remotely track the object from a distance and download information about it, WISC-TV reported.

For industry, RFID is the barcode of the future, but also offers much more and the University of Wisconsin has a connection to this groundbreaking technology.

Some form of RFID has been bouncing around for a while, but industry people said that it's really starting to take off now and all the interest is being generated coast-to-coast is being aided by an effort under way at the UW. Research there might one day help industry change the way you work, shop, travel and live, WISC-TV reported.

Officials said that some people might already use some form of RFID, but they might not know it. They exist as part of the chips located in car keys to prevent theft or the security passes that give access to secured buildings or the automatic toll way passes on car windshield that let motorists to zoom by the lines

Experts said that RFID is driving change in all kinds of fields thanks in part to engineering research at the UW RFID Lab.

The facility is one of only a few college labs equipped with a special soundproof chamber, which sort of looks like a massive optical illusion. Graduate students tap it to peer into the how and why of radio waves, while others find practical ways for business to use them, WISC-TV reported.

The lab is primarily funded by about 40 Midwest companies interested in tapping the evolving technology.

Lab director Alfonso Guiterrez said that it holds big promise to both business and consumers.

"The potential in using this technology in helping humans is very big," he said.

For example, Guiterrez said that the lab is now working with some blood centers to track individual blood bags to make transfusions safer. Implantable tags or chips for humans might soon do things like automatically monitor a diabetic's blood sugar, WISC-TV reported.

"We want to try to get industry to apply these in ways that they can take advantage and it could be an advantage for consumers," he said.

Developers said that the focus now of both the lab and most businesses is aimed at getting tags in products, not people. For them, it's all about better, more efficient inventory control.

At a recent UW workshop, Michael Burnham showed off his RFID business using DVD, each with its own tag.

Businessmen like those from a hospital device company said that they see an opportunity because RFID can quickly ID individual objects and relay data about its exact movements.

"You'll be able to say it went from here to here, it was produced there," Burnham said. "Then, later being able to check how it behaves when it's out on the shelf. You know, 'Is it moving? Is it not moving?'"

Kimberly-Clark is tracking its out-of-stock supplies on store shelves. The RFID Journal said that allows the company to know exactly when a store is out of one of its products and it can quickly replenish supplies.

The formerly Wisconsin-based company is testing it in 500 stores and hopes to use it in all 4,000 stores nationwide that carry products like Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues

With big players like Wal-Mart and the U.S. Department of Defense on board, experts said that the possibilities for RFID are unlimited.

However, some cautioned that there are risks. Left unchecked, some critics fear the technology will lead to chips in everything, from consumer products to government documents. It might open the door to people being tracked without their consent, WISC-TV reported.

Some critics contend all kinds of efforts are in the mix in both the public and private sectors to track things and likewise, people, for all kinds of reasons. They dub RFID tags "spychips."

Note: Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage. This story is the first of a two-part series on RFID technology, the benefits and the concerns.