Professor Zhong L. Wang, who leads a team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology, publishes a paper in the February 14 issue of Nature which describes how nanowires can be woven into fabric–as part of a shirt, for instance–that generates current as the wearer moves. Abstract available, but subscription required for full text article here; or read the NSF’s article about Dr. Wang’s research here.

Dr. Wang describes how the fibers generate current: “The two fibers scrub together just like two bottle brushes with their bristles touching, and the piezoelectric-semiconductor process converts the mechanical motion into electrical energy. Many of these devices could be put together to produce higher power output.”