The challenge 

From using waterwheels to grind grain, to the large scale wind-farms that are driving the energy transition, humans have been harnessing mechanical energy for centuries. One of the sources that is often neglected, however, is that of human movement. We aim to use the wasted energy in movement to create electrical energy.

The solution

We propose nanoparticle-doped triboelectric generators. While this may sound fancy, it focuses on a charge that is created when two plastics touch each other. From that induced charge, we can capture the energy as it flows back to equilibrium after the driving force is removed from the generator. With these generators we can create a world where mobility itself is a source of energy.

This project is being coached by