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Nov 9, 2008 01:05 PM | 8
As teensy nanotech devices get even tinier, the question of how to supply them with power becomes more pressing. Zhong Lin Wang, a nano-engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, is committed to finding the answer. As he described in a January Scientific American article, these devices (measured in nanometers, or billionths of a meter) could rely on nanoscale power plants, which would harvest waste energy from the ambient atmosphere or even from the human body. Now Wang's team has a new addition to the nanogenerator family: zinc oxide wires that produce an alternating current when stretched and released like a rubber band. (Wang is pictured holding a large-scale prototype at the left.)
The new approach, described today in Nature Nanotechnology, has several advantages over earlier techniques, Wang says. For one, it avoids the mechanical scrubbing action that characterized some earlier generators, which means it's less likely to wear down. And the simplicity of the concept lends itself better to mass production. The entire device is covered by a flexible polymer, Wang adds, so it can be embedded in soft materials such as clothing or even muscles, meaning that getting your blood moving by going for a brisk walk or hitting the gym might one day get some electrons moving as well.
Credit: Gary Meek/Georgia Tech
Tags:
nanogenerator,
nanowire,
self-powered devices,
energy scavenging,
energy harvesting
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8 Comments
Add CommentThis sounds like a probable power generating method for someones cell phone and watch.Maybe even eye glasses that can display an internet connection. What do you think?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI wish I could have a nanobot that would ensure the health of an impending grandchild
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThank you for your co-operation
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthis advance could be used to make tires, transmission belts and other parts that are critical in a car have telemetry, like a timing belt (in some models it must be changed before it breaks and kills the engine literally), or tires that can say "hey!, I'm going Firestone!", and save lives.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOn the other hand, I would have sold my soul to The Borg to have a "power outlet" installed on me some times (as when I needed to make a call and my cellphone went dead)
Besides, zinc oxide isn't toxic or expensive, so you could use this inside you literally!
This is the solution to energy independence! Screw the sun, we have people! Now when prisoners spend decades doing nothing but work out and stamp licence plates, we could use them as small generators.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI actually research your self power machines and i actually am very interested in it if you could give me some information about how to do it that would help so much. and i already have it started if you can email me @ fermin.aguilera@yahoo.com thank you very much
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThank you very much i am actually interested in your self power machines and i think it would be very helpful if i could get some results on how to start up a self power and monitored machine that would be very helpful if you can email me some information @ fermin.aguilera@yahoo.com thand you
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThere is undoubtedly great potential here. However, some of this was tried on a larger scale, such as a power generator in people's shoes. The people testing it didn't like it. Their footfalls did not feel right and they got exhausted easily walking. The energy is coming from somewhere and we just have to make sure that somewhere is not discomforting or unhealthy somehow. Perhaps capturing the energy from the breeze blowing loose-fitting clothing would work, but sucking a KW out of your bloodstream would not.
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