Your Shirt Could Charge iPhone via Sound Waves

A T-shirt that could charge a mobile device? Well Orange wants to make the next version of Tshirt for your charging pleasure.

Kinetic charging has been talked about and explored – where your movements turn to enough energy which will charge small devices. Now, using piezo (pronounced Pee-zoh) electric film, they can take sounds 80 db and higher, then turn it into energy to charge a phone.

Piezo electric film is in some of your devices already (including iPhones and Androids). It takes the sound pressure waves and turns it into energy. It may not be the fastest way to charge a device, but if you are at 9% battery, this might be a way to keep the device charged so you can take more pictures or get that important call.

So what is 80 decibles? Unfortunately, it’s not a country setting. A blender works at about 88 db. A propeller plane, a diesel engine at about 40 mph, lawnmower, driving at about 50 mph all can hit the 80 db mark. A crowded and boomy establishment can also do it. A sporting event could also do it. Rock concerts go past 80 db easy. Even with many sound restrictions, 90 db is usually the softest a 3 piece rock band gets.

“In a vibrant festival environment such as Glastonbury, sound is such an obvious medium that it seemed like a natural fit to use it in the development of this year’s prototype.” Says Andrew Pearcey – Orange’s Head of Sponsorship. “Orange’s commitment and ethos around innovation is as strong as ever and we envisage that this pioneering technology could really change the face of mobile charging in environments where eco charging solutions need to be found. It could even influence trends in fashion, with designers looking to integrate this passive charging solution into clothing.”

The coolest part of this type of Eco charging is not only the more Piezo electric film coverage, the more charge, but if it works with kinetic charging, you could keep your devices charged the whole night you are dancing and listening to great music.

Maybe even some Solar charging devices added for outdoor events. Then you can keep your mobile device charged wherever you are.