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Power Generating Spacesuits

Posted by samzenpus on from the the-electric-slide dept.

Maggie McKee writes "Piezoelectric sensors could help power future space missions. Astronauts' spacesuits may one day be covered in motion-sensitive proteins that could generate power from the astronauts' movement, according to futuristic research being conducted by a new lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. Such 'power skins' could also be used to coat future human bases on Mars, where they could produce energy from the Martian wind. Eventually, the biologically derived suits might even be able to heal themselves."

4 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. "wind power", if you know what I mean... by President_Camacho · · Score: 5, Funny

    Astronauts' spacesuits may one day be covered in motion-sensitive proteins that could generate power from the astronauts' movement ... Such 'power skins' could also be used to coat future human bases on Mars, where they could produce energy from the Martian wind.

    But what about producting power from the Astronauts' wind?

    --
    Wizard Needs Food, Badly
  2. Re:Wouldn't this make it harder to move? by Jeff+Molby · · Score: 4, Funny

    Of course it would add resistance. Since we don't want their muscles atrophy, I would imagine the resistance is seen as a feature rather than a bug.

  3. could may might by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    "...Could ...may ... could .... could ... could .... might...."

    Every geek on /. could get laid this year, and womankind may decide that brilliance could be a more important attribute than charisma. We could end up seeing a world that could be different than it is. This might happen anytime now.

  4. Re:Great, but ask the astronauts first... by gardyloo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Pfft. Lack of vision. Just put some motors at the suits' joints. Problem solved, right?

        Plus, that'd be kick-ass great for loading ships and fighting the occasional alien queen.