Smart fabrics could charge your phone using ‘swirl power’

CLOTHES “smart” enough to turn gentle body movements into electricity could keep our phones charged while on the move, according to a study.

Nylon fibres, which produce electricity from simple body movements, known as “swirl power”, could be used to power sensors and mobile devices, scientists have found.

The so-called piezoelectric nylons generate a charge when touched, which can be taken away and stored in a battery. Even the simplest movement, such as swinging your arms, while wearing a smart i tem of clothing, would be enough to produce electricity.

Study lead author Prof Kamal Asadi, of Bath University, said: “The goal is to integrate electronic elements, such as sensors, in a fabric, and to generate power while we’re on the move.

“Most likely, the electricity harvested from piezoelectric clothing would be stored in a battery nestled in a pocket.

“In years to come, we could be using our T-shirts to power a device such as our mobile phone as we walk in the woods, or for monitoring our health.”

The findings were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.