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The machine can process materials besides polymers, which could be key to making functional fabrics. Metals with low melting points could be used to make conducting fibers. A wide array of inorganic materials that can be useful for batteries, fuel cells, and photovoltaics could be incorporated into the fibers by embedding them within polymers. The fibers, once formed into novel shapes, could also serve as templates for inorganic materials deposited using other techniques.
One of the more exotic possibilities is creating fibers from viruses that Belcher has genetically engineered to bind to and organize inorganic materials. She has already shown that the viruses can be used to make high-energy-density battery electrodes and fibers. The machine could combine battery electrodes with a polymer separator and electrolyte to form a complete battery. A similar approach could be used with photovoltaic materials. (Indeed, photovoltaic fibers made by other means have been demonstrated in the past.)
Among the cross-sectional patterns possible with the machine (and illustrated by the slide show accompanying this article) are some that look like sliced pies or concentric rings, and others that are much more complex. Once made, the fibers can be modified by dissolving certain polymers, leaving behind fibers with increased surface area. In one example, called "islands in the sea," a fiber thinner than a human hair is divided into dozens of nanoscale fibers. The machine can also produce fibers with cross sections that, instead of being circular, could have the shape of a cross or a three-lobed structure.
"Pretty much any cross section can be made," Fossey says. Indeed, what's lacking now is not the capabilities of the machine, he says, but enough researchers with ideas for how to use it.
A new way to fabricate nanomaterials could mean batteries and solar cells woven into clothing.
A small, powerful rope-climbing device can pull a person up 30 stories in 30 seconds.
This going to make these soldiers stand out with proper detection gear?
This is brilliantly efficient.
I've been reading for years now about concerns over what to do with spent batteries. If we can weave them into clothes, it'll both take care of that problem and provide a cheap source of textiles. Excellent work.
what happens when high energy density clothes are hit by bullets? this is a request for information.
Risk factors of batteries into clothes.
Feedback from experimental sampling target tests
on safety and associated risk in the context of
human health and varying environmental impact
on electrophoresized clothes might be more revealing in its vast application.
It was stated that these batteries were rechargable, but unless I missed something, I didn't see a "how". Would be cool too see the "batteries" recharged on the go through static electricity generated via marching.
"Get marching, maggots! Get a charge out of the Army!"
The researchers hope to make fibers that can store energy or convert sunlight into power, for use in soldiers’ uniforms.(under the picture of solider and the nano fibers magnified) So, photovoltics looks like the way they are referring to.
And if something goes wrong, the soldiers will be electrocuted by their own clothing.
Electrocution huh? How do you figure? I think you guys are missing the point...the ability to integrate multiple materials into an extrudable fiber provides the opportunity for SEVERAL different applications (sensors, actuation, etc). The power application is only valid if a favorable weight to power ratio can be exploited that provides what is already commercially available. Could a novel form factor such as a fiber provide more distributed storage and utilization of power on the body? Maybe. But there are a lot of other really cool things that can be realized besides that.
Weaving Batteries into Clothes
This would be a great boon to space travel, within a space suit, on person power at need! on person AC and heat, oxygen recirculation, no more cables! (extension cords) from the space vehicle, Good Work People!!
Weaving Batteries into Clothes
Also we have been looking for light weight batteries for cars for a long time, Well Here it is! all you naysayers, Get a life! This is pushing the envelope of technology! Go back to school if you don't understand.
Manufacturing in the United States is in trouble. That's bad news not just for the country's economy but for the future of innovation.
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djs
25 Comments
energetic uniforms
Packing lots of energy into soldiers'clothing may create flammability issues. Doing it in melt-processable fibers compounds the problem by creating molten hot "plastic" in case of a fire.
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