Scientists Discover Ways to Generate Electricity From the Human Body

The human body could be turned into a power station, scientists have discovered.

As strange as it may seem, it’s unbelievably true.

So how is it possible?

Scientists have in the past found ways to harness electricity from the wind, human waste, solar energy, among others. They have even discovered alternative ways in which we can charge our smartphones.

One of their latest discoveries is piezoelectricity which is electricity resulting from pressure. In this form of electricity, small amounts of energy are produced when pressure is pushed out of shape.

According to scientists, one way to utilize this form of electricity is through artificial pacemakers. Artificial pacemakers typically turn off after a few years when their batteries run out. However, scientists say it’s now possible for pacemakers to operate for a lifetime if it harnesses energy from the heartbeat.

Scientists have revealed that the same innovative technology could be used to generate electricity outside the body.

According to Professor Zhong Lin Wang of Georgia Institute of Technology, a flexible, foldable, and wearable power source could allow people to generate electricity from their own bodies while walking.

A wearable power source referred to as a “power shirt” is currently being developed. The power shirt is woven from pairs of coated fibres including some tiny strips of gold and zinc oxide.

During movement, these fibers rub against each other, thus producing electric currents.

Pizzicato energy is another form of energy produced when a device consisting of a central hub and an outer ring is fixed onto the knee. As a person walks, the outer rings continuously rotate and the 72 spectra around it swiftly pluck four piezoelectric arms on the central hub, generating an electric current.

Scientists have also discovered the possibility of harnessing electrical energy from our own footsteps.

Enough Electrical Energy to Power iPhone 5C

In theory, electricity generated from our brains could charge an iPhone 5C In 70 hours.

While there are no proven ways to harness electricity from our minds, it would be a huge breakthroughs for scientists should this incredible technology become a reality.

How can the Brain Can Produce Electricity?

According to scientists, the human brain consists of 100 billion electrically conductive “wires” (neurons) and that 1% of these wires are firing at any moment.

Therefore, should the 100 billion neurons fire at the same exact time, about 0.0085 Watts of electrical power would be produced. This is enough electricity to power an energy-saving LED bulb.

iPhone 5C holds a charge of 5.7 4 Watt hours. This simply means that it would take approximately 70 hours to fully charge the iPhone.

Of course, this is not the most efficient way of charging the handset considering it takes less than 3 hours to charge it. However, it’s a clear that our bodies hold a significant amount of electrical charge that can be utilized in various ways.

It may not seem like the most effective and efficient way to harness electricity but with more research, this could become beneficial in many ways.

For example, a model in the Science Museum’s Atmosphere gallery indicates the possibility of harnessing electricity from footsteps in the walkway leading to the Olympic park- enough electricity to light the walkway eight hours each day.

The future certainly looks bright.