Scientists use hamsters in jackets to generate energy

London, Feb 20 (ANI): Scientists have found a unique way of harnessing energy - hamsters fitted with electricity generating jackets!

The jackets are strapped to the animals as they run on their cage wheels, capturing the biomechanical energy they release as they exercise.

Developed by Dr Zhong Lin Wang of Georgia University's Nano Research Group, the jackets are fitted with wires plugged into a nanogenerator that produces energy when they are bent and stretched.

The study showed that one hamster could produce small amounts of AC power - around one twentieth of the output of an AA battery.

Though it would require 1,000 hamsters to generate enough energy to power a mobile phone, Wang hopes that the breakthrough could have practical applications when applied to larger animals and humans.

According to The Sun, experts believe the new technique could one day be used to harness power produced by humans.

"We believe that this is the first demonstration of a live animal producing current with nano-generators," the Telegraph quoted Wang as saying.

He added that the technology could be ready to be fitted into clothes within five years.

It would capture energy produced not only when humans are active, but also from smaller movements such as when people are sat at computers. (ANI)