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- Researchers from the University at Buffalo, New York, and Institute of Semiconductors (IoP) at the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), have developed a metallic tab that is capable of generating electricity from bending a finger and other simple movements when connected to human body.
- As per the study published in journal Nano Energy, the tab triboelectric nanogenerator can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy for electronic devices.
- Triboelectric charging occurs when certain materials become electrically charged after coming into contact with a different material. Most daily static electricity is triboelectric.
- The tab consists of two thin layers of gold, with polydimethylsiloxane (also called PDMS — a silicon-based polymer used in contact lenses, Silly Putty and other products) sandwiched in between.
- According to the researchers associated with the experiment, this tab delivered a maximum voltage of 124 volts, a maximum current of 10 microamps and a maximum power density of 0.22 millwatts per square centimetre.
- Although it can not quickly charge a smartphone, yet it lit 48 red LED lights simultaneously.
