Imagine wearing clothes that not only feel great but also generate electricity while you move.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new kind of fabric that does just that.
By using special molecules called amphiphiles, they’ve created wearable materials that reduce friction against the skin and produce electricity from movement.
The study, published in Science Advances, explores how amphiphiles, commonly used in everyday products like diapers to prevent chafing, can be modified to create comfortable, energy-generating fabrics.
“Our goal was to understand how amphiphiles reduce surface friction and then use that knowledge to design materials for wearable technologies,” explains Lilian Hsiao, the lead researcher and an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at NC State.
By studying how these molecules work on a microscopic level, the team developed a way to tailor materials for both comfort and energy production.
The key lies in the special properties of amphiphiles. These molecules can create slippery surfaces, making materials feel soft and smooth against the skin. Some amphiphiles can also donate electrons, which the researchers used to make materials that generate electricity when rubbed against the skin or other surfaces.
By combining these properties, the team designed fabrics that feel good to wear and convert the energy of movement into electricity.
This friction-based energy generation is called “static energy harvesting,” and while it’s been used in some devices before, wearable versions have been difficult to create—until now.
The researchers tested their amphiphile-modified fabrics and found they could generate up to 300 volts of electricity—an impressive result for such small materials. At the same time, the fabrics remained soft and comfortable, addressing a common challenge in wearable technology: balancing power generation with user comfort.
“Striking the right balance between generating power and maintaining comfort is critical for wearable devices,” says Saad Khan, co-author of the study and a professor at NC State.
The team hopes to build on their success by exploring new ways to use these materials. For example, they could be integrated into existing wearable devices or developed into entirely new products.
The researchers are also open to working with industry partners to find practical applications for this technology, such as clothing, medical devices, or fitness gear.
“This is just the beginning,” Hsiao says. “We’ve shown it’s possible to make materials that are both comfortable and capable of generating electricity. Now, we want to see how far we can take this idea.”
With these advancements, the future of wearable technology could include fabrics that power small devices while keeping us comfortable—a win-win for innovation and practicality.
