Generating electricity using durable piezo-active nylon

RMIT University researchers have developed a flexible nylon-film device that generates electricity from compression and keeps working even after being run over by a car multiple times, opening the door to self-powered sensors on our roads and other electronic devices.

Certain materials –— such as quartz, some ceramics and even bone — produce an electrical charge when they are squeezed, pressed or vibrated. This is piezoelectricity, coming from the Greek “piezein”, meaning to press.

Modern vehicles rely on piezo components in fuel injectors, parking sensors, airbag systems and other functions.

The team’s nylon innovation could provide a more durable alternative material for such components or support new technologies for traffic-management sensing on roads.

The breakthrough tackles a longstanding problem with energy‑harvesting plastics, which can produce power from movement but are often too fragile for real‑world use, while also reducing carbon emissions by using ambient energy naturally present in movement and pressure.

By using sound vibrations and electrical fields to reengineer the material at a molecular level, the team turned a tough industrial nylon into a resilient power‑generating film suited to wearables, infrastructure and smart surfaces.

The team, led by Distinguished Professor Leslie Yeo and Associate Professor Amgad Rezk, used high-frequency sound vibrations while applying an electric field as the nylon solidified, helping its molecules form a more ordered structure. This technique enabled the nylon device to generate electricity each time it was bent, squeezed or tapped.

Nylon by itself does not convert movement into electricity efficiently, limiting its potential in powering everyday devices.

The team used a durable industrial plastic called nylon‑11 that, unlike common nylons, can generate electricity from pressure when its molecules are carefully aligned.

Image caption: A tough and flexible invention generates electricity from compression and keeps working even after being run over by a car multiple times, opening the door to self-powered sensors on our roads. Image credit: Will Wright, RMIT University.

Yeo said the team found a simple way to transform nylon into an energy generator that was “incredibly resilient”.

“This method could power next-generation devices that need to survive real-world stresses –— whether that’s wearable tech, sensors or smart surfaces,” Yeo said.

Rezk said the process offered significant advantages for industry, with an energy-efficient and scalable approach.

“We’re excited to see where prospective industry partners could take this technology, from flexible electronics to sports equipment.”

Image caption: PhD researcher Robert Komljenovic holds the tough and flexible nylon film developed at RMIT University that generates electricity when bent, pressed or compressed. Image credit: Will Wright, RMIT University.

First author and RMIT PhD researcher Robert Komljenovic said the nylon films were flexible, tough and reliable, maintaining their ability to turn movement into power.

“Our nylon devices can harvest energy simply from compression during motion,” Komljenovic said.

“The thin-film devices are so robust, you can fold them, stretch them, even run a car over them — and they keep making power. This could mean new ways to charge small devices using compression from the movement of people, machines or vehicles.”

The researchers plan to scale up the technology for larger applications and are exploring partnerships with industry to bring this innovation to market.

Top image caption: RMIT researchers Robert Komljenovic and Yemima Ehrnst preparing to test the nylon device’s durability using a hammer impact set-up. Image credit: Will Wright, RMIT University.