University of Guelph engineers create electricity-generating gel

Engineers at the University of Guelph have developed a new gel that generates electricity when squeezed or stretched. This soft, bio-based material is made of 90% water and equal parts oleic and amino acids, with potential uses in health care and clean energy. The gel's piezoelectric properties allow it to produce an electric charge through movement. Researchers believe it could be used in flooring to generate energy from natural movements, as well as in medical training, drug delivery, and wearable technologies. The discovery was made during research on water contaminants and involved collaboration among several engineering experts. The findings were published in the Journal of Molecular Liquids, highlighting the gel's unique properties and potential applications.