Cows and goats already provide us with a lot of great stuff: cheese, milk, soap, butter, etc. But now they might also be able to act as a renewable energy source.<\/p>\n
It’s true! The “Cowolt” is still a conceptual design, but the idea is to put a specially-designed blanket on a cow or goat that creates electricity. Designed by Liva Kallite and Netta Korhonen at Helsinki’s Aalto University School of Arts, Design, and Architecture, the vest utilizes the difference<\/a> in temperature between the animal’s body heat and the cooler air around it and turns it into energy. That’s possible? Apparently, yes. See: the Seebeck Effect<\/a>, which converts temperature differences directly into electricity.<\/p>\n While cows wearing these blankets that resemble life vests might look a little silly, if the idea comes to fruition it could help millions of people worldwide who don’t have reliable electricity. Theoretically, the vest will be able to charge a 12-volt battery in 26 hours (a typical AA battery is about 1.5 volts). This would allow people to power small devices<\/a> like phones, radios, and lamps.<\/p>\n Check out the official video on the very best in oh-so stylish yet extremely practical bovine\/caprine apparel:<\/p>\n