This is science fiction stuff: using your own body to power your electronics. And yet it is finally here.
Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a new, low-cost wearable device that is long enough that you can wear it as a ring, bracelet, or any other accessory and converts the human body into a battery.
“In the future, we want to be able to power your consumption electronics without the need for a battery,” said Jianliang Xiao, senior author of the new paper and associate professor. in Paul M. Rady ‘s Department of Mechanical Engineering at CU Boulder.
Its new devices can generate around one bolt of energy for every 0.155 sq in (1 sq cm) of skin space, enough to power electronics like watches. The wearables tap into a person’s body heat, using thermoelectric generators to convert the body’s internal temperature into electricity. Even better, the device can heal itself when damaged and is fully recyclable.
If your device is in tears, you can just pinch it back together again. And if you do not want to use the device anymore, you can throw it into a special solution that separates the electronic components and disperses the polyimine base (not mixed with polyamine). This means that all of these ingredients can be reused.
“We try to make our devices as cheap and reliable as possible, while at the same time having almost zero impact on the environment,” Xiao said.
How does it work? Imagine you are exercising. Naturally, your body heats up. Xiao’s machine then captures that energy stream and converts it into electricity.
“The thermoelectric generators are in close contact with the human body, and can use the heat that would normally be distributed into the environment,” Xiao said. “The nice thing about our thermoelectric device is that you can wear it, and it gives you stable power. ”