Body heat to charge cell phones?

Now this is something I can get into. How many of us carry our cell phones in our pockets instead of those pretentious little ‘holsters’?

Berkeley Labs is researching the ability to convert our body heat into electricity, via silicon nanowire-based converters. The new found electricity could power personal electronics, such as your cell phone or iPod.

The research has been published in Nature magazine.

While the research has not been perfected, scientists believe the potential application of this technology include Department of Energy’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered “Freedom CAR,” and personal power-jackets that could use body heat to recharge cell-phones and other electronic devices.

This process could be used to siphon electrical power from just about any situation in which heat is being given off. Thermoelectric generators have already been used to convert body heat to power wrist watches.

Conversion modules could be used to convert the heat from automotive exhaust into supplemental power to recharge its battery system or its radio, air conditioner and power windows.

Researchers also believe that thermoelectric modules could eventually be used in co-generating power with gas or steam turbines.