Nanowires Powering Future Electronics

Nanowires converting vibrations to electric current could power electronics in the future.

This Scientific American new blurb talks about using piezoelectric nanowires of zinc oxide to convert everyday vibrations into electricity.  Now, the proof-of-concept idea created only a nanoamp of current at a milivolt, and that’s not enough to do much of anything with today’s technology.  But if the lab-based technology can be upgraded to a couple of volts and microamps to milliamps, then we’re talking a power source that could power some relatively simple electronics nearly perpetually.  And that’s just plain cool.

Here’s a “macrotechnology” use for piezoelectrics I thought had potential. Imagine hooking this up to high traffic roads and bridges to light all of the street lamps, for example.
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/commentary/imomus/2006/08/71582