The scarcity of power to gadget hungry people like us is overwhelming and the amount of new technology springing up everyday is remarkable. If such passion for innovation was seen before oil hit the $100 a barrel rate, our reliance on it would be nil by now. Scientists have developed a way to generate electricity by jostling fabric with unbelievably tiny wires woven inside, raising the prospect of textiles that produce power simply by being stretched, rustled or ruffled by a breeze. The research combines the precision of ultra-small nanotechnology with the elegant principle known as the piezoelectric effect, in which electricity is generated when pressure is applied to certain materials. While the piezoelectric effect has been understood at least as far back as the 19th century, it is getting creative new looks now.

The applications for this technology are tremendous; imagine you could be generating power while you sleep, sit or jump all the while your mobile or music player powers up. However there is one big hurdle to the advent of power shirts. Though zinc oxide makes a nice sunscreen, it’s not really waterproof, so don’t try to swim with your shirt on!!
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