Electricity generated from compression using flexible nylon-film device

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a flexible nylon-film device capable of generating electricity from mechanical compression, marking a significant advancement in energy-harvesting materials. Unlike traditional piezoelectric materials such as quartz and ceramics, this innovation uses nylon-11, a durable industrial plastic whose molecular structure is aligned through a process involving high-frequency sound vibrations and an applied electric field during solidification. This alignment enables the nylon device to produce electricity each time it is bent, squeezed, or tapped, and it remains highly resilient, even after being run over by a car multiple times. This breakthrough addresses a major limitation of previous energy-harvesting plastics, which were often too fragile for practical use, and offers a scalable, energy-efficient method to create durable, flexible power sources. The technology holds promise for powering next-generation wearable electronics, sensors, smart surfaces, and traffic-management systems, potentially reducing carbon emissions by harnessing ambient mechanical energy. The research team envisions broad industrial applications, including flexible electronics and sports equipment,