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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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This Tough Nylon Film Allows Roads To Make Electricity Every Time You Drive

Imagine a road that can sense traffic, a wearable device that never needs charging, or smart surfaces that create electricity every time they are pressed or bent. This future is now closer than ever. Researchers at RMIT University have developed a flexible nylon-based device that generates electricity from simple compression—and remarkably, it keeps working even after being run over by a car multiple times.

This groundbreaking research, published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, opens exciting new possibilities for self-powered sensors, smart infrastructure, and durable electronic devices that can survive harsh real-world conditions.


What Is Piezoelectricity? A Simple Explanation

Some special materials can generate electricity when they are squeezed, pressed, or vibrated. This phenomenon is called piezoelectricity, a word derived from the Greek term “piezein,” which means to press.

Piezoelectric materials convert mechanical energy (movement or pressure) into electrical energy. This effect already plays a key role in modern technology. For example, piezoelectric components are found in:

  • Vehicle fuel injectors

  • Parking and proximity sensors

  • Airbag systems

  • Medical ultrasound equipment

Materials such as quartz, certain ceramics, and even human bone show piezoelectric behavior. However, most of these materials are rigid and brittle, which limits where they can be used.

The Problem with Existing Energy-Harvesting Materials

For years, scientists have tried to create flexible plastics that can generate electricity from motion. While some success was achieved, most energy-harvesting plastics faced two major problems:

  1. They were too fragile – unsuitable for daily use or harsh environments.

  2. They lacked durability – repeated bending, pressure, or impact damaged them.

This meant that while such materials worked in laboratories, they failed when exposed to real-world stress like traffic loads, constant vibration, or human movement.

A Tough Solution: Nylon That Generates Power

The RMIT research team solved this problem using a special industrial plastic called nylon-11. Unlike common nylon, nylon-11 has the potential to generate electricity—but only if its molecules are aligned in a very precise way.

On its own, nylon does not efficiently convert movement into electricity. The real breakthrough came from how the researchers treated the material at the molecular level.

A Clever Technique: Sound and Electricity Working Together

The research team, led by Leslie Yeo and Amgad Rezk, used an innovative method to transform nylon-11 into a powerful piezoelectric material.

Here’s how they did it:

  • As the nylon was solidifying, they applied high-frequency sound vibrations.

  • At the same time, they exposed it to an electric field.

This combined “electroacoustic” process forced the nylon molecules to align in an ordered structure. Once aligned, the nylon film could efficiently generate electricity whenever it was bent, squeezed, or tapped.

Strength That Defies Expectations

One of the most impressive features of this new nylon film is its extraordinary durability.

According to the researchers:

  • The film can be folded and stretched repeatedly

  • It can survive heavy compression

  • It continues working even after being run over by a car multiple times

Despite this extreme treatment, the material does not lose its ability to convert pressure into electricity. This makes it one of the most resilient piezoelectric materials ever created.

Why This Matters for the Real World

1. Self-Powered Road Sensors

Roads equipped with these nylon films could generate electricity from passing vehicles while also monitoring traffic flow, weight, and speed. This could help:

  • Reduce traffic congestion

  • Improve road safety

  • Enable smart traffic-management systems

2. Wearable Technology Without Batteries

Wearable devices often fail due to battery limitations. This technology could allow:

  • Fitness trackers powered by body movement

  • Medical sensors that never need charging

  • Smart clothing that responds to motion

3. Smart Surfaces and Infrastructure

From floors that light up when walked on to walls that power sensors when touched, smart surfaces could become energy sources instead of energy consumers.

A More Sustainable Energy Approach

Another major advantage of this innovation is its environmental benefit. The nylon devices harvest ambient energy—energy already present in everyday movement and pressure.

This means:

  • No fuel required

  • No external power source needed

  • Reduced reliance on batteries and fossil fuels

By capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted, the technology supports efforts to reduce carbon emissions and move toward cleaner, more sustainable electronics.

Industry-Friendly and Scalable

Dr. Amgad Rezk highlighted that the production method is:

  • Energy-efficient

  • Scalable for mass manufacturing

  • Compatible with existing industrial processes

This makes the technology attractive for commercial applications. Industries ranging from electronics and automotive manufacturing to sports equipment and infrastructure development could benefit.

What the Researchers Say

Professor Leslie Yeo described the material as “incredibly resilient”, emphasizing its potential to survive real-world stress.

Dr. Rezk expressed excitement about collaboration opportunities, noting that the technology could transform flexible electronics and smart devices.

First author and Ph.D. researcher Robert Komljenovic explained that the nylon films are not just strong but also reliable:

“You can fold them, stretch them, even run a car over them—and they keep making power.”

What’s Next?

The research team plans to:

  • Scale up the technology for larger applications

  • Test it in real-world environments

  • Partner with industry to bring products to market

If successful, this innovation could soon be found beneath our roads, inside our clothes, and across smart cities worldwide.

Conclusion: Power from Pressure, Built to Last

This flexible nylon film represents a major leap forward in energy-harvesting technology. By combining molecular engineering with smart processing techniques, researchers have created a material that is strong, flexible, efficient, and sustainable.

From roads that power themselves to wearables that never need charging, this innovation shows how everyday pressure and movement can become a reliable source of clean energy—without sacrificing durability.

The future of self-powered technology may very well be built on nylon that refuses to break, no matter how hard life presses down on it.

Reference: Komljenovic, R., Ehrnst, Y., Sherrell, P.C. et al. Electroacoustic alignment of robust and highly piezoelectric nylon-11 films. Nat Commun 17, 354 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66389-1

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