Scientists Are Converting Simple Body Movement Into Energy

Almost all smartphone owners will agree that the most annoying part of owning the high-tech app-filled apparatus is finding places to charge it. But, you might soon be able to charge your phone with just your fingers. Researchers created a device that converts simple body movements into electricity. It’s powered with triboelectric charging, which is power created by frictional contact, which is how most static electricity is produced in our everyday lives.

The researchers triboelectric nonogenerator is made up of a polymer known as polydimethylsiloxane, a material found in contact lenses and silly putty, sandwiched between two thin layers of gold. Stretching and releasing the two layers causes the gold to crumple, which, when done repeatedly, creates friction with the polymer.

“This causes electrons to flow back and forth between the gold layers. The more friction, the greater amount of power is produced.” Yun Xu, Professor at the Academy of Science, explained.

The device isn’t advanced enough to power your smartphone yet, but researchers were able to simultaneously power 48 LED lights. They hope to improve the prototype by using larger pieces of gold that delivery more electricity. They’re also working on making a battery that stores the nonogenreator’s energy.