Battery life is the Achilles heel of smartwatches. But what if we told you that a team of researchers may have found the miracle solution? No more daily recharges, make way for infinite energy! Well, almost...
The limited battery life of smartwatches is a barrier to their widespread adoption. Charging your watch every night is a hassle. But an international team of researchers may have just found the solution to this technological puzzle.
This discovery is based on a little-known physical principle: triboelectrification. In short, it involves generating electricity through friction between two surfaces. A bit like when you create static electricity by rubbing your hair with a balloon.
The secret of nano-beads
Scientists have developed plastic nano-beads, composed of melamine and formaldehyde. Their discovery? Mixing beads of different sizes. The larger ones become negatively charged, while the smaller ones become positive. By placing them on either side of a thin film, they created a "triboelectric nanogenerator" capable of producing more electricity than other known methods.
This system has several advantages. First, it is durable: the balls do not rub directly against each other, which limits their wear. Tests have shown that they can withstand 10,000 cycles of use. Second, their manufacture is relatively simple and economical, requiring no solvents. Finally, when they finally wear out, a simple powder coating is enough to bring them back to life.
Of course, don't expect to power your home with this system. The current produced is measured in nano-amps, a tiny unit. But for low-power devices like smartwatches or certain medical sensors, this technology could be revolutionary.
Ignaas Jimidar, lead author of the study, emphasizes the importance of this discovery: "Our research shows that small changes in material selection can lead to significant improvements in energy production efficiency." This advancement paves the way for new applications in our daily lives, without depending on traditional energy sources. So, will we soon see the end of chargers for our smartwatches? Not right away, but this innovation could well be a first step towards wearables with almost unlimited battery life.
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