Nature (and the BBC) are reporting a development in nanowires - their potential for integration into fabrics, which when moved (or worn and moved about in) will allow the build up of charge. The gold-coated nanowires work on a piezoelectric principle - a mechanical input generates a charge, for instance as the nanowires rub against each other.

I think this falls in step behind the cellulose paper covered in nanotubes (paper battery) discovery late last year - infact it is a logical progression of the technology, one which I hope will be pursued; my sony ericsson phone batttery has the life- span of a fruit fly!

Medical applications are bound (internal inplants etc) to be considered, but I want to know when I’m going to be able to plug my iPod into my jeans and when digital cameras come with a T-shirt adapter!?

abc

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