Researchers from Michigan Technological University, Arizona State University and NanoSonic, Inc. are working on harvesting energy created by wearing a backpack with straps made with a piezoelectric material.

The interesting bit about the design specification for this device is that it had to be “transparent to the user by not interfering with the user’s flexibility or endurance, as well as providing enough energy to reduce the need for carrying heavy batteries to power portable electronics.”

All that rubbing of your backpack straps on your shoulders may be put to good use, now that researchers have designed a novel type of energy harvesting backpack. The pack has straps made of a piezoelectric material that can convert the mechanical strain on the straps into electrical energy that may power or recharge portable electronics.