How would you like to be able to charge your smartphone by simply walking down the street? Or to be able to turn the tie you’re wearing into a voice-recognition security system? Thanks to a team at Michigan State University, these abilities may not be so out of the question, as they have developed a promising little device that could be used to achieve these goals and many others.
Developed by MSU Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Nelson Sepulveda and his team, these devices can generate power as they are bent and folded. The devices are called biocompatible ferroelectret nanogenerators, or FENG for short.
Power is generated by the device’s many layers as energy is introduced via other sources, such as the user’s motion. This could potentially lead to the ability to charge a device by simply moving around with FENG technology.
Furthermore, there are potential security applications to this new tech. Since FENG material is so sensitive, it can be used as a microphone that would make it practically impossible to trick a voice-recognition system. On the other side of the coin, FENG can also be used as a speaker.
It’s also very possible that FENG technology will help lead to the discoveries that allow us to use more efficient devices, for longer. This could potentially allow business to be done for longer in the day, without fear of losing precious charge.
What do you think? Do you see FENG becoming the status quo anytime soon? Let us know in the comments!
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