Researchers have been trying to develop unique ways of generating electricity using the human body as a source. Recently, we saw University of Colorado researchers come up with a flexible, wearable ring that uses body heat to generate electricity and power small electronic devices. Now, the researchers at the University of California have developed a “wearable microgrid” that can generate electricity from a human body to power low-power electronic devices.
Developed by researchers at the University of California San Diego, the “wearable microgrid” can store energy harvested from the sweat and body movements of a person. This energy can then be used to power low-power-consuming devices, such as an LCD smartwatch or small fitness trackers.
How Does It Work?
Now, to develop the wearable shirt-like product, the researchers screen-printed each of the components onto a shirt. They designed it in such a way so that the components optimize the amount of energy collected. Also, every screen-printed component is washable and flexible.
To test the technology, the researchers put the microgrid shirt on a subject for around 30 minutes. During the time, the subject exercised on a cycling machine or ran for 10 minutes and remained at rest for the rest of 20 minutes. The microgrid, during this time, was able to power either an LCD-panel wristwatch or a small electrochromic display that changes colors in response to voltage change.
Now, the researchers say, going into the future, the wearable microgrid could be ideal for athletes or people who exercise a lot. However, as per Yin, they are working on some other designs to integrate the microgrid technology.
“We are not limiting ourselves to this design. We can adapt the system by selecting different types of energy harvesters for different scenarios,” Yin said.
