The study was conducted by scientists from the University of Limerick in Ireland and the University of Valencia in Spain. It shows that lignin, a renewable and common material derived from wood waste, can generate electricity from the heat of the human body, Channel 24 reported with reference to ScienceAlert.

What is the success of scientists?

Using a thermoelectric membrane made of lignin, scientists have created an environmentally friendly method to capture and store energy from low-temperature heat sources, including the heat of the human body.

However, researchers believe that lignin-based technology can reduce these energy losses, which account for more than 66% of the heat released into the atmosphere from various sources, including the human body.

How does it work?

The invention is to impregnate the lignin membrane with a salt solution that creates a potential difference, allowing positive ions to migrate to one side of the membrane when exposed to heat.

Scientists have also developed an environmentally friendly storage device, a porous carbon supercapacitor made from wood waste. This material captures and stores the ions produced, converting body heat into electricity without harmful elements such as lead and antimony and without harming the environment.

How can it be applied?

This achievement opens up new possibilities for powering portable devices using only body heat. For example, smart watches, rings and other devices will be able to receive energy from the human body, which will significantly extend their operating time.