Tapping into human power

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Are there any devices that generate electricity from contact with the skin? The closest thing that comes to mind is the "Magic Light Bulb." It lights up when you touch two metal contacts on the base. However, I think this is just a trick and the bulb is actually powered by a small battery in the base.

The next closest thing I can think of is a thermogenerator from Infineon Technologies AG.

Can any of you think of any other devices that generate electricity on contact with the skin?

 

[star882]

I have made voltmeters move by connecting them to a copper rod and a steel rod and holding the rods.
The power is tiny, though.

 

[Darell]

Human skin is conductive, and we DO generate insignificant electrical power.... but I'm not sure touching the skin with anything will actually generate power. Maybe dissimilar metals combined with sweat?...

 

[Jonathan]

Skin can conduct electricity, and if you were to hold two different metals with sweaty hands, you could produce a bit of electrical power, but it would really be your sweat and body acting as the electrolyte in a battery, with the metals reacting to produce the power (just an example of the 'lemon battery' in which two strips of metal are stuck into a lemon and power a _very_ small load).

Since your body is usually warmer than the surroundings, you could use a thermoelectric generator operating between your skin temperature and the air temperature.

The best bet at the present time for human generated electrical power is with motion, eg. generator devices embedded in the soles of shoes and the like.

-Jon

 

[jeff1500]

I've been waiting for someone to make a hand crank light.

 

[PsycoBob[Q2]]

I'd be happy with one of the wind-a-spring-to-run-a-generator type devices... that will charge AA batteries.

I'd love to have one, but most of the hand-crank radio/light/etc units either can't recharge batteries, or use a NiCD AA pack buried inside the casing.