Researchers have come up with a unique wearable gadget that can produce energy simply when you bend your finger!
Not only that, this tiny device can also store data, like pictures or symbols.
This exciting invention might change the way we think about wearables, especially for health monitoring.
Most devices with multiple functions need many layers of materials, which can be tricky and time-consuming to put together.
But this new gadget uses just one special material and still does the job. It’s like having a swiss army knife, but instead of multiple tools, it has one that can do everything!
The brainy folks behind this are from RMIT University and the University of Melbourne, working with other smart people from around the world.
They used something called “bismuth rust”, which is basically the rust from a metal named bismuth. This metal is super safe for wearables, meaning it’s good to use in things we wear or carry close to our skin.
Dr. Ali Zavabeti, one of the main researchers, mentioned that this invention might be used in the future for health devices that can keep an eye on our heart rate or other vital signs.
The device can also store personal data. In their tests, they even stored images that are so tiny, you could fit 20 of them in the width of a single hair!
In their experiments, they attached the device to a finger and checked how it responded to natural movements. When someone bent their finger, the device produced about 1 volt of energy. That’s pretty cool!
For the memory tests, they used it to store and display small symbols, like the RMIT logo. The cool part is that they could write this logo, erase it, and then write it again, all on a super tiny scale.
The secret sauce is the bismuth rust, or bismuth oxide. Xiangyang Guo, a Ph.D. student involved in the project, said that they can quickly print layers of this rust.
It’s special because it can act like a tiny computer and also generate energy from small movements. The best part? It’s safe for our skin, stretchy, and lasts a long time.
The team believes that their way of working with this metal might help in creating other personal wearables in the future. They’re hoping to team up with companies to bring this invention to the market.
Key Takeaways
A team of researchers has designed a wearable gadget that produces energy when you bend your finger and can store tiny images.
Made from a special metal rust, this invention might pave the way for future health monitors and other wearables. They’re now looking to work with businesses to take this invention to the next level.
If you’re curious and want to dig deeper, check out their full research in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
