Stanford University shows that clothes make good batteries too

Remember when Stanford University turned mere paper into a proper battery? That was just the beginning. The same team, led by Yi Cui in the Department of Engineering, now wants your pants to be an electrical storage device. They've managed to dye fabric with carbon nanotube ink, still allowing the cloth to stretch and move like normal but also giving it the supernatural ability to hold a charge. Imagine the day when hipster jeans charge Droids, when booty pants juice up iPhones, and when your wristwatch is powered by the very band you use to strap it to your person -- assuming, of course, the whole "asbestos-like effects" thing turns out to be false.

[Jeremiah Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:07AM]

Sweet! That means my underwear will charge my.....

Nevermind. Great technology.

[Kid Red Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:08AM]

Hmm, my current wristwatch requires no battery...

[l3admonky Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:11AM]

This technology paired with wireless charging would be amazing. You'd be able to charge devices just by putting them in your pocket.

[Joshua Przygocki Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:22AM]

Bah, asbestos, I eat that stuff for breakfast.*



*Joshua Przygocki died from asbestos poisoning roughly an hour after making this utterly stupid comment.

[jol Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:23AM]

I can see it now. Gimmicky offbrand iPants accessory that charges your phone while you walk.

[Phlint Posted Jan 22nd 2010 2:38PM]

@jol Do the iPants have to be white? Then I don't want it.

[AckbarsFist Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:24AM]

This seems a little weird. I don't want my body surrounded by a battery, thankyouverymuch.

[Dusty Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:30AM]

I would not want this, a battery surrounding the body

LOL @ comments above.

[Sunil Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:40AM]

This is what nanotech boffins do... Talk philosophy, but never deliver the goods.

[Wisenheimer Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:50AM]

Judging by the huge shock I receive every time I get out of my truck, I'd say the pants I already have hold a charge just fine, thanks.

[SpecTP Posted Jan 22nd 2010 10:08AM]

fire.. fire.. pants on fire..

[Nzad Posted Jan 22nd 2010 10:26AM]

Why does Michael J. Fox's Back to the Future jacket come to mind?

[cge10 Posted Jan 22nd 2010 12:20PM]

yeah i would hate to get caught in rain with this on

[BrianH Posted Jan 22nd 2010 12:52PM]

would be pretty fucking sweet if this charged your items...

and the friction from walking would recharge them.

[hangman Posted Jan 22nd 2010 9:17PM]

wouldn't petrol stations have a higher chance of blowing up