Powerful Piezoelectric Fabrics
14 February 2008, 11:59
Categories: nanotubes-wires-fullerenes smt-energy-piezoelectric
Nanotechnology researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are developing a shirt that harvests energy from the wearer’s physical motion and converts it into electricity for powering small electronic devices worn by soldiers in the field, hikers and other users.
The researchers constructed pairs of textile fibers covered with piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowires that generate electricity in response to applied mechanical stress. The resulting current flow from many fiber pairs woven into a shirt or jacket could allow the wearer’s body movement to power a range of portable electronic devices. The fibers could also be woven into curtains, tents or other structures to capture energy from wind motion, sound vibration or other forms of mechanical energy.
The scientists estimate that their nanoclothing can put out about 80 milliwatts of power per square meter of fabric. Which should be enough to operate your personal electronics.
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