New screen protector can charge smartphones

(ECNS) – A new type of screen protector has been developed by a research team at Guangdong University of Technology, which can generate enough power to charge the smartphone it is attached to, according to Guangzhou Daily.

The screen protector is composed of two pieces of film, one to generate power, the other to capture it, said Cai Jin, head of the research team, and the generating film contains a special kind of material.

Based on the piezoelectric effect principle, the protector produces power when a user operates the smartphone, and a USB plug at the bottom of the protector can input power to the phone when connected to it, Cai added.

The generated electricity is only 30 to 40 percent of the power being used, Cai estimated, so the screen protector would extend battery life.