Microfiber fabric generates electricity

A fabric-based nanogenerator could become an efficient way to generate electricity and recharge batteries, allowing you to indefinitely power personal electrical items such as a GPS, radio, light, or cell phone while off the grid.

U.S. scientists have developed a microfiber fabric that generates its own electricity, making enough current to recharge a cell phone or ensure that a small MP3 music player never runs out of power.

The fiber-based nanogenerator would be a simple and economical way to harvest energy from the physical movement. What the fabric does is it translates the mechanical movement of your body into electricity.

..the material could be used by hikers and soldiers in the field and also to power tiny sensors used in biomedicine or environmental monitoring.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1334900820080213?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews