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Articles on piezoelectricity, nanotech, and the new green technologies

As we continue to carry around items that insist on requiring electricity to work, portable-even wearable-energy-generating systems are looking very attractive. A group of researchers has recently looked into the use of piezoelectric materials, which generate an electric field or potential when placed under mechanical stress. By placing these materials on a rubbery or flexible surface, they created a material that can generate the highest rate of energy conversion reported for similar systems. While these are still far from the market, the metrics of the flexible piezoelectrics so far are very promising.

Amazing battery that can be charged by human motion, using piezoelectricity. Brilliant!

Researchers at the University of Bolton are pioneering developments in 3D textile structures using piezoelectric energy-harvesting fibres. The results of the project could lead to the development of energy-harnessing carpets or mobile devices that can be charged as your clothes move.