Inspired by Band-Aid, the wearable finger strip acts like a fingertip energy generator. The thin, flexible strip generates energy as soon as it is worn on the finger, even while the user is sleeping. Fingertips produce exponentially more sweat than other parts of the body, making them an excellent energy source for this device.
Engineered by a team from the University of California, San Diego, the strip has carbon foam electrodes that absorb sweat. A chemical reaction is then initiated between the lactate and the oxygen molecules, resulting in electricity generation. The strip generates energy through pressure. Activities like typing, driving, opening the refrigerator, and exercising also contribute to energy production. In addition, the strip generates enough energy to power an electronic watch for 24 hours.
Image Credit: University of California / Yanko Design
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Wearable Energy Generators
- Focusing on new wearable technologies with the ability to capture energy from the body presents a disruptive innovation opportunity.
- Carbon Foam Electrodes
- Developing new carbon foam materials for wearable energy generators presents a disruptive innovation opportunity.
- Energy Harvesting From Sweat
- Developing new methods for harvesting energy from sweat presents a disruptive innovation opportunity.
Sectors Adopting This
- Wearable Technology
- This trend presents an opportunity for companies in the wearable technology industry to invest and innovate in wearable energy generators.
- Consumer Electronics
- This trend presents an opportunity for companies in the consumer electronics industry to develop new products based on wearable energy generators.
- Fitness Industry
- This trend presents an opportunity for companies in the fitness industry to leverage wearable energy generators to power fitness trackers and other wearable devices.
