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Nanowires Allow For Electricity-Generating Clothing

Posted by Zonk on from the next-step-in-this-direction-is-thermoptic-camoflage dept.

lee1 writes "The latest development in the field of 'energy harvesting', which includes such opportunistic technology such as self-winding watches, generators implanted in soldier's boots, and knee brace dynamos, is a cloth that generates electrical power. The cloth is newly developed by scientists in the US, and can produce up to 80 milliwatts per square metre. It is made from brush-like fibres composed of a Kevlar stalk surrounded by zinc oxide nanowire crystals that generate electricity through the piezoelectric effect. They can be grown on any substrate, including hair. The power harnessed from this effect could be used for anything from cosmetic components to the powering of medical devices."

7 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. What about... by TubeSteak · · Score: 4, Funny

    Can it be grown on sharks?
    /to power the frickin' laser beams

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  2. Don't hug me bro! by barocco · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't hug me bro!

  3. Their first attempts were a complete failure by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The nanowire bath towels were a shocking failure.

    Proper marketing will be needed to overcome consumer resistance.

  4. What we really need... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... is a way to generate electricity by masturbation. I could probably power my data center... and maybe yours too!

  5. Grown on hair? by LaRoach · · Score: 5, Funny

    They can be grown on any substrate, including hair

    Then my back is gonna run the whole house!

  6. An interesting application by Charcharodon · · Score: 3, Funny
    Make the bed sheets out of them....

    "Damn it woman, leave me alone and go to sleep. Don't give me that "my iPod needs charging", I already checked it, it's full.

  7. Re:forgive my ignorance by Hillgiant · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dude! Just how fat are you to be able to power your TV with 80 milliWatts per m^2?

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