Context
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore has developed specialized shoes for soldiers that incorporate Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) technology.
About Tri-boelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) Technology
- Energy Harvesting: TENGs convert mechanical movement into electrical energy.
- Structure: Made of active materials that generate and transfer electric charges.
- Working Principle:
- Electrostatic Charge Creation: The technology operates by generating electrostatic charges when two different materials make brief physical contact.
- Potential Difference Generation: A potential difference is created when mechanical force disrupts the uniform contact between the surfaces of the two materials.
- Electron Movement: This disruption causes electrons to move between the conducting films on the back of the tribo layers, resulting in the generation of electricity.
Features of the special shoes:
- Electricity is stored in shoe soles to power small devices.
- Equipped with GPS and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), these shoes enable real-time location tracking.
- Applications: Enhances safety and operational efficiency by enabling real-time tracking of soldiers, can be used for civilian purposes as well.
Source:
Hindustan Times
Previous Year Question
Consider the following technologies:
1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
Which of the above are considered communication Short-Range devices/technologies?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer: (d)
