TOUCH Issue 8: Touch Technology of the Future
Renewable Energy
Source?
Solar and wind energy is so last-year…
Or so some researchers would have
us believe from the Georgia Institute
of Technology, who are investigating
the potential of harvesting renewable
energy from human touch.
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Utilizing the triboelectric effect (which
is where certain materials become
electrically charged after they come
into frictional contact with another
material), they’ve shown that placing
a special nanogenerator film on
objects has the potential to generate
meaningful amounts of electricity.
Imagine if your touchscreen phone
charged itself when you use it? Those
thumb taps could end up being the
key to ensuring your battery doesn’t
die. This could also apply to all
computers if keyboards are outfitted
with these nanogenerator films! Going
green could be as simple as typing up
this article!