Michigan researchers have revealed a major breakthrough in harvesting energy from human motion.
密歇根的研究人员取得了一项重大突破, 可从人体动作中收集能量。
They say it could lead to smartphones powered for a week by the motion of a swipe being harvested.
Michigan State University's low-cost device, known as a nanogenerator, has already been tested.
Scientists successfully operated an LCD touch screen, a bank of 20 LED lights and a flexible keyboard, all with a simple
touching or pressing motion and without the aid of a battery.
The groundbreaking findings, published in the journal Nano Energy, suggest 'we're on the path toward wearable devices powered by human motion,' said Nelson Sepulveda, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and lead
investigator of the project.
'What I foresee,
relatively soon, is the
capability of not having to charge your cell phone for an entire week, for example, because that energy will be produced by your movement,' said Sepulveda, whose research is funded by the National Science Foundation.
The process starts with a silicone wafer, which is then fabricated with several layers, or thin sheets, of environmentally friendly substances including silver, polyimide and polypropylene ferroelectret.
Ions are added so that each layer in the device contains charged particles.
Electrical energy is created when the device is compressed by human motion, or mechanical energy.
The completed device is called a biocompatible ferroelectret nanogenerator, or FENG, and is as thin as a sheet of paper.
The device used to power the LED lights was palm-sized, for example, while the device used to power the touch screen was as small as a finger.
Advantages such as being lightweight, flexible, biocompatible, scalable, low-cost and
robust could make FENG 'a
promising and alternative method in the field of mechanical-energy harvesting' for many
autonomous electronics such as
wireless headsets, cell phones and other touch-screen devices, the study says.
相关单词：touching
touching解释：adj.动人的，使人感伤的
touching例句：
It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
His letter was touching.他的信很感人。
相关单词：investigator
investigator解释：n.研究者，调查者，审查者
investigator例句：
He was a special investigator for the FBI.他是联邦调查局的特别调查员。
The investigator was able to deduce the crime and find the criminal.调查者能够推出犯罪过程并锁定罪犯。
相关单词：relatively
relatively解释：adv.比较...地，相对地
relatively例句：
The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。
相关单词：capability
capability解释：n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等
capability例句：
She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。
相关单词：robust
robust解释：adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的
robust例句：
She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。
China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。
相关单词：promising
promising解释：adj.有希望的，有前途的
promising例句：
The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。
相关单词：autonomous
autonomous解释：adj.自治的；独立的
autonomous例句：
They proudly declared themselves part of a new autonomous province.他们自豪地宣布成为新自治省的一部分。
This is a matter that comes within the jurisdiction of the autonomous region.这件事是属于自治区权限以内的事务。
相关单词：wireless
wireless解释：adj.无线的；n.无线电
wireless例句：
There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。
