Researchers from the University of Málaga in Spain and the Italian Institute of Technology created an "e-textile" that's capable of generating electricity from the temperature difference between the person who is wearing the t-shirt and their surroundings. With this t-shirt design, this means there's potential for people to walk, run and perform other physical activities to create heat that can be turned into thermal power.
The prototype may even have the potential to generate enough of its own light to create a reflective design or offer a wearable way for people to charge devices on the go. Of course, there are other applications for the technology in biomedicine and robotics thanks to the use of lightweight, flexible materials.
Electricity-Generating T-Shirts
This "E-Textile" Uses Body Heat to Generate Electricity
Trend Themes
1. E-textiles - The development of electricity-generating t-shirts using e-textiles opens up opportunities for wearable technology that harnesses body heat for power.
2. Self-powered Wearables - The ability for the t-shirt to generate enough electricity to power its own light or charge devices on the go suggests a trend towards self-powered wearables.
3. Thermal Power Generation - Harnessing the temperature difference between the wearer's body and their surroundings to generate electricity paves the way for innovative thermal power generation.
Industry Implications
1. Wearable Technology - The use of e-textiles in electricity-generating t-shirts has the potential to disrupt the wearable technology industry, allowing for self-powered and innovative wearable devices.
2. Fashion and Apparel - The incorporation of electricity-generating capabilities in clothing opens up opportunities for the fashion and apparel industry to create stylish and functional wearable designs.
3. Biomedicine and Robotics - The lightweight and flexible materials used in the e-textile technology present opportunities for disruption in the fields of biomedicine and robotics, where power-efficient and flexible devices are in demand.