The Battery of Breath

Materials physics researchers from the University of Wisconsin found that micro-vibrating plastic tape when passed a low-speed air. This material could be developed to create energy from human breath.

Xudong Wang (right).

In a report in the journal Energy and Environmental Science September issue, Xudong Wang and Chengliang Sun discuss piezoelectric effect. They stated that electric charge can be collected like a battery in case of mechanical stress on the special material polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). "Basically we were harvesting mechanical energy from biological systems," Wang explained.

The air flowing through the human respiratory system generally cruised at a speed of 2 meters per second. Their research shows even low-speed air flow can generate vibrations in its path as long as the material is very thin.

The power generated by the vibration was relatively small, only a few micro-watts, but the energy is large enough to turn the sensors on the face or a particular implant.

These findings can be utilized to support the development of nanotechnologies. At this nano technology enables researchers to make a mini-sized electronic devices that can be used as monitor the biological activity of the body, such as the body's glucose production. This mini device requires only a small energy to operate and can be met by an artificial super-thin ribbon Wang.

To make this thin ribbon, Wang utilize the process of "ion etching" on thin materials that evoke piezoelectric effect. Some further improvements can be done so that the ribbon thickness can be adjusted to the submicron level. *** [PHYSORG | ANTON WILLIAM | KORAN TEMPO KORAN TEMPO 3669]

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