Power‑generating Wallpaper Harvests Energy From Indoor Humidity, No Sunlight Required

Researchers from Binghamton University in the United States have developed a special wallpaper material that can generate electricity using humidity changes in the air. The novel material absorbs and releases moisture from indoor surroundings, turning tiny humidity fluctuations into usable electric power.

Unlike traditional solar panels, this power‑generating wallpaper does not rely on sunlight. It works round‑the‑clock, drawing energy from ordinary indoor air. Apart from producing small‑scale electricity, the wallpaper can passively adjust indoor humidity levels, improving household comfort without extra energy consumption.

Laboratory tests show each square meter of the wallpaper can deliver low‑voltage power, enough for tiny sensors, smoke alarms and low‑power smart home devices. The team stated mass‑production hurdles still remain. If commercialized in the future, ordinary home walls will become distributed micro‑power stations, reshaping the design logic of future smart residences.