Geek Tested:

Future Tech: Nanowires Could Run Gadgets on Blood Flow Power

Posted 03/30/09 at 08:10:56 PM by Paul Lilly

Imagine charging your iPod or cellphone just by jumping on the treadmill and getting your heart pumping faster. Sounds far fetched, but according to researchers at the School of Material Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, it's also feasible. The researchers say they can convert low-frequency vibrations, like body movements or the beating of a heart, into electricity by using zinc oxide nanowires to conduct the electricity.

"This research will have a major impact on defense technology, environmental monitoring, biomedical sciences, and even personal electronics," said lead researcher Zhong Lin Wang.

The nanowires are piezoelectric, meaning they generate electric energy when subjected to mechanical stress. They can be grown on metals, ceramics, polymers, and clothing. By developing them into production, Wang and company say they could be used by military troops to run electronic devices. Wang also pointed out the possibility of powering biosensors implanted under the skin. All it takes to generate energy is movement.

No announcement has been made on when to expect commercial development, however there's no lack of funding for the work, which includes the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation.

Sounds bloody amazing, eh?

Image Credit: Gary Meek/Georgia Tech via LiveScience

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derek.h.osborne
Submitted by derek.h.osborne on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 4:45am

When I was on active duty there was talk about implants that could monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, adrenal gland output, and send your location to command while you were on patrol or in maneuvers. They called it bio tracking. We all laughed about it and said that sounds like some video game nonsense. It is scary to think that it is more of a possibility than not. Can you imagine the powers of implementation and exploitation on a military and civilian level, soldiers could be traced and hunted by their bio signatures, but then pedophiles could be kept on a better leash than ever imagined? Some times life is stranger than fiction, and some times reality can be just as scary.

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Crysis Nanosuit anyone? Kev.
Submitted by urdead4g on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 4:41am

Crysis Nanosuit anyone?

Kev.

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it would explain why Spandex
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 03/31/2009 - 8:47am

it would explain why Spandex gives Power Rangers super stregths and armor though....

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If your erection lasts for
Submitted by Muerte on Tue, 03/31/2009 - 7:17am

If your erection lasts for more than 4 hours you need to calm the hell down!!!!

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Sign of the beast?
Submitted by jko on Tue, 03/31/2009 - 6:46am

Sign of the beast?

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Lmao
Submitted by DBsantos77 on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 9:34pm

**ck that, I'll keep my body the way it is thank you very much.

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This Won't End Well....
Submitted by Biceps on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 8:09pm

I agree... but in 10 years, I'm gonna get wired anyway :)

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Oh boy
Submitted by SEALBoy on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 5:55pm

This won't end well.

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Implant biosenors into me
Submitted by I Jedi on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 5:07pm

Implant biosenors into me will you? HA! In your dreams, government!

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Well, here is the power
Submitted by vistageek on Mon, 03/30/2009 - 4:21pm

Well, here is the power source for that nanosuit I want!!!

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