New device turns body heat into battery power
Last updated on: 16 February,2021 07:17 pm
New device turns body heat into battery power
(Web Desk) - Scientists have now developed a wearable device that could use the human body to replace batteries. Researchers at the University of Colorado have created an environmentally-friendly gadget that harvests body heat and converts it into energy.
Users could power their own watches or fitness trackers by wearing a stretchy ring or bracelet containing thermoelectric chips that convert heat into electrical energy.
"(Thermoelectric devices) can provide continuous power to wearable devices and could potentially replace batteries in the future," said one of the researchers.
"We hope this technology could, at least partially, solve the pollution problems of electronic waste," he said, adding the tool is fully recyclable.
The devices generate about 1 volt of energy per square centimetre of skin covered.
While more research is needed to increase the amount of power produced and allow for mass production, the gadgets could be on sale in five to 10 years.