Researchers build electrical device from household waste

Researchers from the University of Surrey have developed a wearable device that has been made from simple household garbage and that charges itself through movement.

Made from discarded paper wipes and plastic cups, the device is able to harness the static electricity that is brought about by regular movement through the principle of electrostatic induction and the use of triboelectric nanogenerators. It is not especially functional, only serving to process Morse code, but stands as a basis for further development.

“It won’t be long until we have to ask ourselves which of the items we own are not connected to the internet,” said Dr Bhaskar Dudem, project lead and Research Fellow at the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute.

“However, the current Internet of Things (IoT) revolution highlights the simple fact that our planet doesn’t have the raw resources to continue to make these devices which are in such high demand.

“Our research demonstrates that there is a path to creating sustainable technology that runs on electricity powered by us, the users of that technology.”

The full paper detailing the device was published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces and the researchers are assessing how to utilise the technology in smart watches and IoT systems.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/sebra