Your morning jog might soon generate enough power for your wearable technology, all due to groundbreaking nanotechnology.
Your morning jog might soon generate enough power to charge your wearable devices, thanks to innovative nanotechnology developed at the University of Surrey.
Researchers from Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) have created flexible nanogenerators that are highly energy-efficient, showcasing a power density that is 140 times greater than standard nanogenerators. The team believes this advancement could lead to nano-devices that match the effectiveness of modern solar panels.
The devices from Surrey can transform minor mechanical energy—like movement—into a significant amount of electrical power, working much like an amplifier enhances sound in audio systems. To illustrate, while a regular nanogenerator might produce 10 milliwatts, this new technology could elevate that to over 1,000 milliwatts, making it ideal for various everyday uses.
ATI’s nanogenerator functions similarly to a relay team—rather than relying on a single electrode (the runner) to transmit energy (charge) alone, each “runner” gathers a baton (charge), amplifies it, and then passes it on, thereby boosting the total energy collected through a mechanism known as the charge regeneration effect.
Md Delowar Hussain, the lead author of the research from the University of Surrey, stated:
“The vision for nanogenerators is to harness and utilize energy from daily activities, such as your morning jog, mechanical vibrations, ocean waves, or even just opening a door. The primary innovation in our nanogenerator is the use of 34 tiny energy collectors, enhanced through a laser technique that can be scaled for production while enhancing energy efficiency further.”
“What’s particularly thrilling is that our compact device with high energy harvesting density could eventually compete with solar panels’ power output, capable of powering everything from self-sufficient sensors to smart home systems that never require battery replacements.”
This technology is known as a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), which captures and converts energy from simple, everyday movements into electricity. It operates through materials that become electrically charged upon contact and subsequent separation—similar to the way a balloon clings to your hair due to static electricity.
Dr. Bhaskar Dudem, a co-author of the research at the University of Surrey, remarked:
“We are preparing to launch a company dedicated to developing self-powered, non-invasive healthcare sensors utilizing triboelectric technology. Innovations like this will allow us to initiate new ventures in sustainable health technology, improving sensitivity and focusing on industrial scalability.”
Professor Ravi Silva, another co-author and Director of the Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey, commented:
“With technology rapidly advancing, it’s estimated we’ll see over 50 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the coming years, all requiring power. There’s a pressing need for local green energy solutions, and this technology could provide a convenient wireless method to harness energy from everyday mechanical movements to operate small devices. This is an opportunity for the scientific and engineering sectors to devise inventive and sustainable solutions to global issues.”
“We are extremely enthusiastic about the possibilities these nanogenerators present in transforming our energy perceptions. It’s easy to envision these devices being integrated into IoT-powered, self-sufficient smart systems such as autonomous operations, security surveillance, and intelligent home networks, or even assisting dementia patients—an area where the University of Surrey excels.”
