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iPhoneI bring an interesting tidbit for those who are involved in alternate energy source investment. This concept may actually turn into the world's greatest scientific discovery in the realm of energizing consumer devices. It would appear that an exciting development has been made that claims to harvest usable electrical energy from the operating temperature of the human body. This energy is created by utilizing the difference in temperature between the body and the surrounding ambient temperature. The technology is called the principle of thermoelectricity generators (TEG), and it seems to have incredible potential.

Imagine for instance if Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) could make available a dynamic blood sugar monitor that would give a diabetic patient a constant blood sugar readout simply by being put in contact with the body and would never require a battery change. Could I interest you in a wrist watch that uses you as its power source? How about a battery free iPhone, might that pique your curiosity? Has it already aroused the curiosity of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)?

Scientists are focusing their efforts on bringing this technology more to the forefront. They have successfully harnessed an electrical current of 200 millivolts from human thermoelectricity, but they came up against a problem with that. Given the fact that many of today's gadgets require between 1 to 2 volts for operation, 200 millivolts is not about to do the job. That is, of course, unless you create new types of circuitry that will operate at such low voltages. Creating that lower voltage circuitry, which can be energized with as little as 50 millivolts, has reportedly been accomplished. It might be time to cut loose some of those investments in battery manufacturers.

Peter Spies, manager of this sub-project at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits stated, "We combined a number of components in a completely new way to create circuits that can operate on 200 millivolts. This has enabled us to build entire electronic systems that do not require an internal battery, but which draw their energy from body heat alone."

Some scientists are convinced that thermoelectrical power generation is the way of the future. It is said that the greater the difference in temperature, the greater the voltage that can be generated. The concept not only applies to human body heat but can be utilized in any situation where a disparity of temperatures exists between surfaces or between a surface and the surrounding ambient temperature.

How soon will it be possible for us to not only conceive of, design, and build spectacular gadgets, but to also power them by our own individual electricity? Science is saying that day could come very soon. If you don't think this concept will someday be manufacturing reality, might I remind you that not so long ago computers weighed several tons and took up entire rooms. That's food for thought my friends.

Has science reached the ultimate in power sources? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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