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fishead ...*∞º˙

Rubber Material Harvests Energy from Small Movements - 1 views

ecogeek.org/...ests-energy-from-small-movemen

rubber movement electricity

shared by fishead ...*∞º˙ on 01 Feb 10 - Cached
  • fishead ...*∞º˙ on 01 Feb 10
     
    "pzt-rubber A new material developed by researchers at Princeton and Caltech is capable of harvesting energy from the simplest of movements like walking or breathing. This new rubber chip made of PZT (lead zirconate titanate) nanoribbons could eventually power small portable electronic devices like cell phones. The PZT is embedded in silicone rubber sheets that produce electricity when flexed or other pressure is applied. The scientists who developed the chip see them being inserted into shoes or even within the body to continually harness power for our portable devices. Before that freaks you out too much, the scientists envision the chips being placed next to the lungs to utilize breathing motions for powering pacemakers. Pacemaker users wouldn't have to undergo surgery to replace batteries since their breathing would be a constant source of energy. The reason this particular material stands out compared to all of the other piezoelectric materials out there is that it's far more efficient. According to the researchers, PZT can convert 80 percent of mechanical energy applied to it into electric energy, which is 100 times more efficient than quartz. That efficiency allows it to harness such small movements like breathing and opens up a much greater range of possibilities for its use."
fishead ...*∞º˙

Self-Contained Solar Power System is Only 9mm - 1 views

ecogeek.org/...solar-power-system-is-only-9mm

solar power self contained

shared by fishead ...*∞º˙ on 04 Mar 10 - Cached
  • Researchers at the University of Michigan have unveiled their latest breakthrough:  a tiny solar power system that contains a processor, battery and solar cells all in 9 cubic millimeters! The miniature system measures 2.5 by 3.5 by 1 millimeters -- 1,000 times smaller than any comparable commercial system.  It's extremely energy efficient and the scientists say that it could almost operate perpetually if the battery didn't have to be replaced after many years. The system uses an ARM processor, a popular, widely-used processor which will make commercial adoption of this technology much easier. The system could be remodeled to generate power from movement or heat instead of light, making it fit for a variety of uses.  Like the small, flexible kinetic-energy harvester we profiled a last month, the scientists also see this device serving as a power source for medical implants like pacemakers.  Other possibilities include powering environmental sensors that track air and water quality and motion sensors for buildings, homes and bridges. The good news is that the researchers are already working on commercially developing the system.  With a host of possible applications, who knows where this itty bitty power generator might end up.
fishead ...*∞º˙

Foamy Invention Could Save Energy and Lives | LiveScience - 0 views

www.livescience.com/...081017-bts-metal-foams.html

advanced materials foamy metal

shared by fishead ...*∞º˙ on 31 Jan 10 - Cached
  • The ultra-high-strength composite metal foam created by Afsaneh Rabiei is a highlight of a well-traveled career during which the researcher has tried to learn everything she can about advanced materials. The result: a brand new material that can save energy and lives. “Basically, it is a new material for all sorts of safety devices,” said Rabiei, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at North Carolina State University. Rabiei’s invention isn’t the first metal foam, but she says it’s the strongest. The main weakness of existing metal foams is the varying sizes of their cells — tiny pockets of space inside the material. Instead, Rabiei used cells of standard sizes and combined them with a metallic matrix to support the cell walls. That helps
  • And since the bulk steel is three times heavier than the steel foam, it’s easy to see how the foam could attract car manufacturers looking for a bumper that will improve safety and gas mileage. Rabiei sees plenty of uses for her invention, including in airplanes, boats, and structures that need impact protection with maintaining low weight. It’s this high strength-to-density ratio — defining a material that’s both strong and light — that makes Rabiei’s foam unique. “This material showed a much higher strength-to-density ratio than any metal foam that has ever been reported,” she said.
fishead ...*∞º˙

HP's solar powered Dick Tracy wrist-watch with a flexible plastic screen for the U.S. m... - 0 views

www.greenlaunches.com/...screen-for-the-us-military.php

advanced materials solar hp's powered

shared by fishead ...*∞º˙ on 25 May 10 - Cached
  • imes are changing, swiftly, and the way we keep time is too. The U.S. military will soon have greener devices on their wrist, with Hewlett-Packards current development. These wrist-watches by HP will boast flexible display screens that will show up a load of information besides the time, including maps and strategic information to aide soldiers in combat. The watch, known as the Dick Tracy will use a plastic screen. Soaking in the sun will help power up the watch and have it ticking. The prototype of the watch will be up and functioning in a year by HP. For starters, the U.S. military will use the Dick Tracy (named after the comic-strip detective with his awesome wristwatch) on a small group of soldiers first, who are bound to enjoy the technology, before spreading out to the entire force. The flexible plastic display, unlike the usual glass ones is also unbreakable, and can withstand the shocks of a battle field. Dick Tracy is yet another green addition for the U.S. military, this time in the form of wrist-watches
fishead ...*∞º˙

Paper super-capacitors bring forth a future with electronics made of paper - 1 views

www.greenlaunches.com/...-electronics-made-of-paper.php

advanced materials paper super capacitors

shared by fishead ...*∞º˙ on 25 May 10 - Cached
  • Ever dreamt of a paper world with all your electronics made out of paper? You don’t need to be an origami fan to dream about things like that anymore. Paper electronics might just pop up in the future, thanks to the researches at Stanford University, who’ve come up with a technology to make this dream into a reality. Paper super capacitors have been stumbled upon by printing carbon nanotubes onto paper. These can be printed onto everything and involves the coating of both sides of a piece of paper with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The treated paper bonds to the super capacitor, just like ink and paper bonding and works efficiently, with minimal capacitance loss after 2500 charge-discharge cycles. If all goes well, the future might have electronic devices made of paper, that we can dispose of easily when out of use and recycle, keeping away the trouble of recycling e-waste that we face today.
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