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.
(Score: 2) by ngarrang on Monday April 14 2014, @03:00AM
Hello Coppertop.