Body Powered Batteries -- Thermoelectrics

An Anonymous Coward writes: "According to this story on Yahoo, the folks at Applied Digital Solutions have "developed a miniaturized thermoelectric generator -- a half-inch diameter ceramic-based `battery' that converts low gradient body heat flow into electrical power." Right now they can power watches or small medical devices. How long before these things can power my handheld?"

Just call me "Coppertop"

[WinDoze]

It's the first step towards "The Matrix", I'm warning you!

how long...

[motherfuckin_spork]

until your car can be powered by an anal probe...

So where do you put it

[ch-chuck]

I hope it's not where I'm thinking, like how they used to take your temperature as a kid.

Can you imagine

[Anonymous DWord]

powering a Beowulf cluster of anything?

" Dance, you silly little freak, dance!"

yAH!

[davey23sol]

Now your sexual escapades can create REAL electricity.

ha cha!
(I doubt this comments applies to any of us...)

Matrix

[Dark Paladin]

Now, isn't this how the Matrix started? All these watches and Palm Pilots trying to take over the human bodies for more warmth, covering people at night like kittens on your bed? I can see it now:

The Future:
People walk down the streets, scurrying between allyways, keeping out of the light. One man stands in the middle of the street, trying to grasp a piece of cheese left in the alley.

Before suddenly, he is swarmed by little Palm Pilots, hurtling down the street like killer bees.

Trinity: Run, Neo! Those are the ones with the ARM processors! They need even more body heat than the old Dragonball ones! And - *gasp in horror* they have wireless antennaes!

The last thing we hear is one quick "Woah", then the sounds of millions of AvantGo processes launching.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Portable vibrators...

[FatSean]

Now you can pleasure yourself with no physical motion, nor any batteries to change!

33 million fingernails...

[DudeTheMath]

Gee, I only need 33,333,333 of those advanced 3V, 10u-amp "batteries" to generate a kW. Put on the suit, hook it up to the microwave, and 20 minutes of dancing gives me dinner!

The standard 'Beowulf cluster' comment...

[hoggoth]

I can see it now:

The Boston Marathon becomes a Beowulf Cluster!
WWF wrestlers finally produce something worthwhile!
Japanese Corporate Sararymen power their buildings by energy generated during morning calesthenics!

Perpetual Motion!!!!

[Amazing Quantum Man]

<HUMOR>
Just stack one of these babies on top of a P4! That amount of heat'll generate enough electricity to solve California's power crunch!
</HUMOR>

Tags included for the humor impaired to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

movie industry and this technology

[NastyGnat]

Since everyone's brought up the matrix, it's obvious that the movie industry thought of this idea first and will be the appropriate content holders. Everyone will have to pay a tax to generate body heat and will no longer be allowed to share body heat without paying royalties.

heat generated during sleep??

[gol64738]

a lot of people keep saying, 'oh no, if you have a self powered artificial heart and swim in freezing water near the polar cap, you're dead.'

ever notice how much more heat you generate whilst you sleep or excerise? just store the extra and use while you're 'swimming with polar bears', because i know just how popular it is to swim with polar bears.... sheesh.

Potato Clock

[Root Down]

All of this has amusing similarities to the wonderful 6th grade science experiment of making a potato powered clock. You know - just shove the wires into a standard red russett and watch with amazement as the clock goes. Same principle, really, save that potatos are lumpy, brown, relatively sedentary items that seem to be more agreeable when fried, and people are... oh, wierd.

Re:Better question.

[Anonymous Coward]

You mean like solar, wind, and hydro power? We're acquiring the patents right now.

There is no incentive for us to make this technology available to the public at this point in time. Remember 11 years ago, when Iraq's Hussein invaded Kuwait and NBC had all of those alternative energy commies on tv talking about the invasion being a good opportunity to explore other energy technology? We called up our main man in the White House, Bush (the spook, not the cokehead...), and enlisted his aid. That night when he addressed the nation and mentioned the "fight for democracy" with a straight face, I laughed so hard that Beluga caviar came out of my nose. He still uses that line every time we meet, whether at Davos or GOP fundraisers. It still gets to me. But I digress...

Eleven years later and we still have the Arabian oil fields girdled with our destoyers. Soon a majority of cars on the road will be gas-guzzling SUVs. You can rest assured that oil is never going away. Oil. Oil oil oil oil. I can't get enough of that word.

I admire your cynicism, son. Do you need a job?

Love,
The Energy Industry

Will this use up my life energy though?

[Anonymous Coward]

If it is using energy from my body, does it cut into the length of my life? Nothing is free, man.

Power your handheld?

[tcc]

That's a few watts... you'd need something to convert BioGasses into energy...

... and a lot of beans...

He's dead Jim

[brownjim]

"Is he dead?"

"Yes, see, his watch stopped."

Re:Self contained artificial organs, cobber!

[hoggoth]

>I can just imagine the Tech Support Call for this one...
>"Press 1 if you're having trouble installing your BeatFree Artificial Heart. Press 2 if your Heart will not start..."

And of course, those with a Microsoft ArtificalHeart XP would be paying for a SERVICE and wouldn't actually OWN their hearts.

Caller: Oh NO! My husband's heart just stopped! Please help! What do I do?!
Microsoft Rep: Well, did he just install anything new or make any large configuration changes recently?
Caller: Well, he has gained a lot of weight lately... with the holidays and all...
Microsoft Rep: Yes, I see, that would do it. You need to apply for a larger license. Perhaps a 5-seat license. How much does your husband weigh?

Re:Matrix

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh, sure....that's just what THEY want you to think!

Fat Dude with Prime Power Areas For Rent

[Anonymous Coward]

I will be glad to host your power needs. I'm a large male with virtually no body hair. Order now for prime power locations:

Rolls on Back of Neck: $0.25/hr
Underarms: $0.50/hr
Between Butt Cheeks: $5.00/hr
Back Side of Balls: Call for latest price.