Georgia Institute of Technology researchers have demonstrated a new nanometer-scale generator that they claim can produce a continuous flow of electricity by harvesting energy from things like ultrasonic waves, mechanical vibrations, and even blood flow.

It could be used to power other nanodevices in the future, without the need for batteries or other impractical or toxic external power sources.

With further optimization, the researchers expect their nanogenerators could produce as much as four watts per cubic centimeter, more than enough to power a variety of environmental, biomedical, and defense-based nanoscale devices.