Researchers Build Wearable Generators

schliz writes "From the itnews article: 'Bioengineers from the University of Auckland have developed cheap, lightweight rubber power generators that could harvest up to a Watt of power if embedded in shoes. The researchers built on "dielectric elastomer generator" technology that used the movements of a flexible, non-conductive material to build up charge in attached electrodes.'"

Comments

Re:Help power cars?

[QBasicer]

I wonder if something like this could be embedded in the tires of a car to help generate electricity to power it self. Would it actually be able to generate enough electricity to make it worthwhile for an electric car though?

Unfortunately, the extra energy you'd get out of the generators would be provided by the engine (conservation of energy). You'd only get a benefit if the car was coasting downhill by turning the potential energy into electric energy. Since energy conversion isn't 100% efficient, you'd actually lose energy and be further behind in the process.

Been hearing this for a while now

[Trepidity]

This might be a new advance, but it's hard to tell. Here is a Slashdot story from 2001 with basically the same "researchers find a way to make shoes generate power" line.

Re:Help power cars?

[bmo]

What we need is to find a way to coast uphill without having to coast downhill.

I've got it.

Put a magnet on the end of a pole in front of the car. It'll pull itself up a hill!

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_laxcr841Fm1qewll0o1_500.jpg

--
BMO

Re:Up to a Watt of power

[bemymonkey]

A watt can recharge an entire smartphone battery in 1-2 hours... I'd welcome a pair of shoes that provides me with a Watt of power when I walk around.