US Patent 8227957 - Piezoelectric nanowire electrical energy generator

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8227957.html

This patent from Samsung teaches the use of piezoelectric nanowires in an auxiliary power source for mobile devices which can convert light or mechanical energy into electrical energy. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus for generating electrical energy, comprising:

a first electrode;

a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode;

a nanowire which includes a piezoelectric material and is disposed on the first electrode;

an active layer disposed on the first electrode;

a conductive layer disposed on the active layer; and

an insulating film disposed between the conductive layer and the nanowire, wherein the nanowire and the active layer are electrically connected to each other.