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Researchers at The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a thermo-electric generator which resides in a light, flexible glass-fabric, and which can be powered by body heat.
When using KAIST's TE generator (with a size of 10 cm x 10 cm) for a wearable wristband device, it will produce around 40 mW electric power based on the temperature difference of 31 degrees F between human skin and the surrounding air.
To put this in context: Based on Table 9 ("Average System Power (mW)") of this research paper into smart-phone power consumption (based on the Openmoko Neo Freerunner) we'd need at least 10 times that (400 to 1100 mW) to power our phones.
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Thermo-Electric Generator Powered by Body Heat
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MONTALBAN'S HAIR!
(Score: 4, Interesting) by stormwyrm on Monday April 14 2014, @12:40AM
That seems overly optimistic. 31°F temperature difference is about 16°C temp difference if my conversions aren't totally shot, so they're assuming 20°C or so outside temperatures. Too bad I live in the tropics, where the temperatures are typically something like 32°C if we're lucky, or even as high as 40°C if we're not. With such a low temperature difference I guess they'd get even less usable energy out. Place like this a solar panel might be a better bet. (And on another note, why do we have Fahrenheit temperatures quoted? When I went there last I saw that South Korea uses Celsius just like the most of the rest of the world).
Energy has to be coming from somewhere... So if you wore a skintight suit covered with these thermoelectric generators, would you feel even colder?
Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by tftp on Monday April 14 2014, @01:15AM
Place like this a solar panel might be a better bet.
Just make sure that you have all your emergencies in daytime :-)
Clearly, the ideal emergency recharge pack should combine all accessible energy harvesting methods: thermoelectric, solar, and muscle power too. Wind power is too unreliable, and there is no wind in places where most of the population lives. This pack cannot be small, but it can be foldable and lightweight. Most people won't need it. Those who do will carry it as an item in their backpack. Embedding it into the phone is not very practical, IMO. Here is one example [voltaicsystems.com]. I have their solar panel and an external battery pack (for a project.)
(Score: 2) by sjames on Monday April 14 2014, @07:38PM
Thermal is a good bet for an emergency power pack, but not from your wrist. Make it tolerate the heat of a wood fire and preferably also able to work with solar heating of the hot side.
The hand crank is less convenient but even more reliable source of power.
(Score: 2) by Reziac on Monday April 14 2014, @02:32AM
Actually, I was wondering something similar ... if the battery charger concept could be turned into portable personal cooling.
And there is no Alkibiades to come back and save us from ourselves.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 14 2014, @03:10PM
$ units '31 degF' degC
* 17.222222
So, not totally shot :)