Power Generating Spacesuits

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."

Comments

Re:Wouldn't this make it harder to move?

[Adriax]

Exercise is a big thing in space, if they can keep the spacers in better shape and generate power at the same time, it's a good thing.

generate power from the astronauts' movement

[Kanasta]

unless you've broken the laws of energy conservation, "generate power from the astronauts' movement" will also mean "make it harder for astronauts to move"