Device powered by body heat

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a wearable device that transforms the human body into a biological battery. The device is stretchy enough to be worn like a ring or another accessory that fits on the skin. By employing thermoelectric generators, the device can convert the body’s internal temperature into electricity. “In the future, we want to be able to power your wearable electronics without having to include a battery,” says Jianliang Xiao, senior author of the paper published recently in Science Advances and an associate professor in the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. The device can generate enough electricity to power electronics like watches or fitness trackers and provides constant power. It also offers a clean alternative to traditional batteries that lose power and must be replaced. Photo: Xiao Lab.