A team of researchers from the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials at Wake Forst University, developed a remarkable thermoelectric device. The creators call it Power felt and apparently it looks like a piece of black fabric with an area of several square inches. According to Corey Hewitt - one of the authors, Power Felt generates electricity from the heat of human body.
The device is a combination of carbon nanotubes and plastic fibers. It uses the temperature difference between the body and environment. With regard to efficiency - a jacket of this material should be sufficient to support the work of iPods or other portable media player. A more significant difference in temperatures will be even more significant. The material is inexpensive, and the inventors are now looking for opportunities for its commercial advancement.