Solar powered clothing may provide electricity in future

Melbourne, October 15 : Aussie researchers will soon be exploring the possibility of installing solar panels in people's clothing to generate electricity.

The study will be one of the research projects that are being funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC), an agency of the federal government.

The funding will be used to study everything from protecting the Tasmanian Devil from the deadly facial tumour disease to maintaining public health during heatwaves.

There will also be a study about the interactions between humans and robots.

While researchers in South Australia will study the most appropriate support services for grandparents who do plenty of childcare, turning wastewater into drinking water will be studied in Western Australia.

Overall, the government is funding 1100 research projects.

Science Minister Kim Carr hopes that these initiatives will produce significant benefits.

"I would like to congratulate all of the successful researchers and institutions that have been selected for funding,'' the Herald Sun quoted Carr as saying.

"I look forward to hearing about the outcomes and benefits you produce for Australia,'' added the minister.

Senator Carr revealed that an independent and rigorous panel had judged applicants for the grants.

ANI