If these pants could talk
July 22, 2010 9:21 AM   Subscribe

Small amounts of sound can now be harvested by this special fabric to produce very small amounts of current. And what if there was a clever, logic-defying way to possibly greatly enhance the conversion capabilities of such piezoelectric materials? Then maybe I'll get that "Power Suit" I always wanted.
posted by cross_impact (18 comments total) 6 users marked this as a favorite
 
We are, in fact, only 10 years away from a Vuvuzela-powered car.
posted by schmod at 9:24 AM on July 22, 2010 [20 favorites]


But it could also monitor health by detecting almost imperceptible sounds from the body. Sounds like blood flow, which could make a shirt a 24-hour blood-pressure monitor.

That's a pretty good idea, although I think I might have more use for a Flag of Silence. You unfurl it and all sound in the area is sucked up and converted to electricity.
posted by DU at 9:26 AM on July 22, 2010 [2 favorites]


It's hard to move in this sneaking suit.
posted by fuq at 9:27 AM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


See also: RF-powered electronics.

Went on a not-date with an old friend some many years ago. She wore these shiny pants. I asked her if they were leather, she said no, they were vinyl. Since we were going crate-digging in the village, I said, "I'd run a needle across that!"

And that is why I'm Smooth.
posted by Eideteker at 9:28 AM on July 22, 2010 [6 favorites]


Reminds me of this Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me segment on another body worn source of energy.
posted by kmz at 9:32 AM on July 22, 2010


Clothing is so yesterday. I mean, really, what can it do? It can’t pick up sound, or beep at us if something’s wrong. Or can it?

Is there some rule that says that science writing has to be unnatural and forced? Who assumes that clothing should be able to pick up sound in the first place?
posted by OverlappingElvis at 9:33 AM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


Clothing should be able to pick up chicks. Duh.
posted by spicynuts at 9:42 AM on July 22, 2010


I was going to quote and deride that exact same sentence. There seems to be two styles of science writing:

1) If the topic is complex, dumb it down.
2) If the topic is simple, make dumb jokes.

In neither style should you attempt to explain anything.
posted by DU at 9:42 AM on July 22, 2010 [4 favorites]


I won't rest until every surface on this planet can generate energy from the surrounding wind, sunlight, noise, kinetic motion, moisture, heat, smell, and brainwaves. And even then I'll be furious about all the energy still being lost due to humanity's staggering slowness in getting that freaking Dyson shell built already.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:48 AM on July 22, 2010


Who assumes that clothing should be able to pick up sound in the first place?

Well, I don't know about you but until then I'll continue wearing live minks. They at least understand my commands, unlike denim.
posted by TwelveTwo at 9:56 AM on July 22, 2010


I'm waiting for a masturbation powered flying suit.
posted by SPUTNIK at 10:01 AM on July 22, 2010 [2 favorites]


Geez, I hope some of you guys never see an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy.
posted by scrowdid at 10:04 AM on July 22, 2010


Then maybe I'll get that "Power Suit" I always wanted.

Ok, fine. But there needs to be a rule that all power suits can only ever play The Power by Snap!

Which'll be way funnier when there are like twenty or so people all at different points in the song strutting around at the same time.
posted by quin at 10:10 AM on July 22, 2010


I want to see the viability of piezoelectric cloth using wind power and motion to produce electricity. Imagine how patriotic it would be to have flags on top of every building flapping in the breeze and knowing every time you see one, that it's just a little bit less that we are dependent on foreign energy sources, and polluting fossil fuels. (except, of course, the energy/fossils needed to manufacture, transport, market, and connect via energy grid said flags.)

Still, I'd love to see it.
posted by Balisong at 10:10 AM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


If you'd asked me thirty years ago to guess which Marvel superhero would be the first to have their mutant powers reproduced by science, I never would have guessed Dazzler.
posted by escabeche at 10:43 AM on July 22, 2010 [3 favorites]


1) If the topic is complex, dumb it down.
2) If the topic is simple, make dumb jokes.


and also, if you're on NPR's Radiolab

3) Interrupt every scientist before they can answer your question
4) When they do answer a question, repeat their answers 50 times: "A Quark? A Quark. But a quark? Yes! Quarks."
5) Repeat until pledge drive.
posted by silkyd at 10:58 AM on July 22, 2010 [1 favorite]


Geez, I hope some of you guys never see an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy.

It's been a long time since I saw that show, but I seem to remember most episodes being somewhat smarter than most of what passes for popular science writing these days.
posted by JHarris at 2:30 PM on July 22, 2010


I want to see an episode of Bill Nighy the Science Guy.
posted by Pallas Athena at 3:40 PM on July 22, 2010


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