Scientists develop "hybrid power" fabric that can harvest clean energy to power electronic devices
Running out of mobile phone battery is an inconvenience almost everyone suffers from time to time. But imagine if you could recharge your mobile simply by plugging it into your t-shirt and letting nature do the rest?
That's the vision of a group of scientists from the Georgia Institute of Technology (GIT), who this month unveiled a new "hybrid power" fabric that collects solar and kinetic energy to power small electrical devices.
The fabric uses two lightweight, low-cost polymer fibres woven to create an energy-producing textile. The first fibre is a micro-cable solar cell that can harvest energy from ambient sunlight. The second is a nano-generator that converts mechanical energy - movement - into electricity.
"This hybrid power textile presents a novel solution to charging devices in the field from something as simple as the wind blowing on a sunny day," said Zhong Lin Wang, a Regents professor in the GIT School of Materials Science and Engineering. "The fabric is highly flexible, breathable, lightweight and adaptable to a range of uses."
The scientists suggest the fabric could be used to make tents, curtains or items of clothing. Early tests indicate the fabric is relatively durable and can withstand "repeated and rigorous use", but the team now plans to conduct further experiments to prepare it for commercial use in all weather conditions.
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