Microfiber Fabric Makes Its Own Electricity

U.S. (TGW) – U.S. scientists have developed a microfiber fabric that generates its own electricity.


If made into a shirt, the fabric would generate power simply from the wearer moving.

"The fiber-based nanogenerator would be a simple and economical way to harvest energy from the physical movement," Zhong Lin Wang of the Georgia Institute of Technology, who led the study, said.

Tiny fibers in the fabric rub up against each other when the wearer moves, creating electricity.

"Our estimates show we can have up to 80 milliwatts per square meter of this fabric. This is enough to power a little iPod or charge a cell phone battery," Wang said.

The challenge that remains for the team is solving the problem that the fiber degrades when wet.

The fabric has the most promise for hikers or soldiers.

Via :: Reuters