Elastic enough to be used as a ring, bracelet or other accessory that touches the skin, this new low-cost portable device that transforms the human body into a biological battery.
It has been developed by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and it can generate about 1 volt of power for every square inch of skin space .
Polyimine: an elastic material
The secret of its elasticity and ease of repair lies in its base material: an elastic material called polyimine . If it breaks, for example, you can put the broken ends together and they will reseal in just a few minutes.
This also allows it to be completely recyclable , which makes it a cleaner alternative to traditional electronic devices: in a special solution that will separate the electronic components and dissolve the polyimine base; each and every one of those ingredients can be reused.
Although the voltage it provides is very low, it could be sufficient to power electronic devices such as watches or activity bracelets.
It also takes advantage of a person’s natural heat, using thermoelectric generators to convert the internal temperature of the body into electricity .