More and more sensors and devices are being implanted into the human body, however powering them remains a tough problem in many cases. Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a flexible nanogenerator that converts small movements of the human body into electricity. It uses freely bendable piezoelectric ceramic thin film nano-material, which generates voltages when pressure or bending forces are applied. Apart from medical applications, it might also be used to power personal mobile electronics or micro robots. Many different energy sources, such as wind, vibration and sound, but also heart beats, blood flow and muscle contraction, can be used with this technology. Here’s a short video demonstrating this technology in action:
Press release: New forms of highly efficient, flexible nanogenerator technology…
Article abstract: Piezoelectric BaTiO3 Thin Film Nanogenerator on Plastic Substrates…