Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a micro wind turbine that makes electricity from breezes as little as those caused by a brisk walk.
The device is a nanogenerator made of two plastic strips in a tube that flutter when airflow occurs. Like rubbing a balloon to your hair, the two plastics become electrically charged in a phenomenon called the triboelectric effect. The electricity generated is then captured and stored.
In the future, devices like this could power small wearable technology or mobile phones. Larger versions could be safely installed in nature reserves or cities because there are no rotating parts to cause any harm to its surroundings.
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