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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."

5 of 113 comments (clear)

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

    Don't hug me bro!

  2. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. Alarm Sensors by sciop101 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    This would make outstanding surface alarm matrix.

    Woven into carpet, or embedded into a concrete/asphalt surface, with proper processing, this system could discriminate footsteps, vehicles, even seismic activity.

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    The only thing new in this world is the history that you don't know.[Harry Truman]
  5. 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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