[Editor’s Note: Army Mad Scientist teamed with the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (SGM-A) at Ft. Bliss, Texas, in executing their annual writing contest for the seventh year in a row. As in years past, we received a number of insightful essays from our senior NCOs on topics spanning the breadth of the Operational Environment.
Today, we are pleased to feature the SGM-A Class 75’s winning submission by MSG Donald P. Cully. MSG Cully’s submission makes the convincing case for increased focus on nanotechnologies as a form of energy production for the warfighter on the battlefield. He argues that through integration of these sorts of innovations, the issue with increasing energy requirements for troops can be mitigated — Read on!]
Enabled Energy Harvesting for the Future Battlefield Soldier
Modern warfare increasingly depends on electrically powered systems at the tactical level. Today’s Soldiers operate as part of a digital network. They rely on encrypted radios, GPS navigation, wearable sensors, battlefield software, small drones, and emerging augmented reality systems like the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). These tools improve lethality, awareness, and survivability, but they also place heavy demands on individual power supplies (National Research Council [NRC], 2004).
Most Soldier power systems still rely on batteries. As Soldiers carry more electronic equipment, they must also carry more batteries. This creates both design and operational challenges. Although lithium-ion batteries have improved over the past two decades, their energy density has not kept pace with growing power demands. Soldiers often carry several pounds of spare batteries for multi-day missions, which accelerates fatigue and reduces mobility and endurance (NRC, 2004). Battery performance also declines in cold, jungle, and high-altitude environments, which increases resupply needs even further (Fraczek et al., 2022).
Army doctrine recognizes that sustainment and power generation are no longer rear-area functions and are now central to tactical maneuvering. Future large-scale combat operations (LSCO) will occur in contested environments where adversaries target logistics hubs, generators, and resupply convoys with long-range fires, cyber-attacks, and persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems (Department of the Army [DA], 2025). As units become more dispersed and communications degrade, command-and-control systems must function with limited external support (DA, 2022). The growing gap between Soldier power needs and survivable power generation is a critical vulnerability that the Army could address through innovative technology. 
Nanotechnology offers a transformational approach to battlefield power generation. Lightweight, flexible, and distributed energy harvesting systems can generate electricity at the point of use through movement, friction, and environmental exposure. By using unique electrical and mechanical properties at the nanoscale, engineers can integrate power-generating materials directly into uniforms, equipment, vehicles, and structures. These systems operate quietly and passively, without relying on generators or fuel convoys (Sripadmanabhan et al., 2019; Kang, 2024; Golabek & Strankowski, 2024). Continuous energy harvesting during motion, fabric flexing, and sunlight exposure reduces logistical dependance while aligning with Army priorities for endurance and survivability in contested environments (DA, 2024). Additionally, their extremely low acoustic, thermal, and electromagnetic signatures enhance stealth and operational survivability (DA, 2025; Swanner et al., 2018).
As formations become more dispersed and digitally connected, power generation must follow a more supportive model. Instead of relying on centralized power sources that are easy targets, nanotechnology allows for thousands of micro generators embedded across the force. Together, they provide continuous background power. This shift, from storing energy to generating it continuously, represents a fundamental change in Soldier power systems aligning technological capability and operational sustainability. To meet growing battlefield power demands, the Army could look into integrating nanotechnology-based energy-harvesting systems into Soldier equipment and military platforms, enabling warfighters to generate power from movement and environmental exposure, reduce battery reliance, and improve mobility, resilience, and mission endurance.
Nanotechnology and Its Energy Harvesting Mechanisms
Nanotechnology involves designing and manipulating materials at dimensions below one hundred nanometers. For comparison, a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick, while a strand of DNA is about 2.5 nanometers wide. At this scale, materials behave differently than in bulk form. They can conduct electricity differently, bend more easily, and absorb light more efficiently. Engineers can use these properties to control how materials move charge, absorb light, and respond to stress, making them well suited for converting motion and environmental energy into electrical power (Oppermann, 2024; International Institute for Nanotechnology, n.d.; National Nanotechnology Initiative, n.d.).
For military applications, nanotechnology enables lightweight, flexible power systems that engineers can build directly into uniforms and equipment instead of adding them as bulky external components. Manufacturers can weave nanomaterials into fabrics, coat them onto surfaces, or embed them into polymers. This improves Soldier mobility and comfort while reducing physical burden. These traits make nanotechnology especially useful in the harsh and dynamic conditions of battlefield operations (Sripadmanabhan et al., 2019).
Mechanisms Relevant to Energy Generation
Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) generate electricity by converting mechanical compression or bending into electrical energy. Nanostructured materials such as zinc oxide nanowires and polymer composites can convert low-frequency motion, such as walking, bending, and carrying loads into usable electrical energy (Das et al., 2023). Simply stated, this is “energy generated from compression” (Swanner et al., 2018, p. 2).
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) generate electricity through contact electrification and electrostatic induction when two materials repeatedly contact and separate. At the nanoscale, surface roughness and micro structuring dramatically increase charge density, enabling efficient energy harvesting from fabric motion, sliding friction, and body movement (Peng et al., 2023). TENGs are especially useful for wearable systems because they work in any lighting conditions and require no external power source (Su et al., 2023). Simply stated, this is “energy generated from physical friction” (Swanner et al., 2018, p. 2). 
Nanostructured photovoltaic systems use materials such as quantum dots, nanowires, organic polymers, and perovskites to improve light absorption across broader spectral ranges while staying flexible and transparent. These systems outperform traditional silicon solar cells in low-light and diffuse conditions, making them suitable for use in clothing, visors, windows, and vehicle surfaces (Choi et al., 2023; Huang et al., 2017). Unlike rigid solar panels, nano-photovoltaics can bend and flex without losing performance. These properties allow for their use as transparent coatings on nearly any surface.
Advantages Over Traditional Materials
Nanomaterials offer several advantages over traditional power systems. First, their high surface-area-to-volume ratio allows them to capture more environmental energy and convert it more efficiently. Second, their flexibility allows designers to weave them into fabrics and mold them onto curved surfaces without limiting mobility or comfort. Third, engineers can tailor nanomaterials for durability, water resistance, abrasion tolerance, and environmental survivability, making them suitable for harsh operational conditions (Golabek & Strankowski, 2024; Kang, 2024).
Together, these advantages enable a distributed power system that reduces reliance on generators and battery stockpiles. This directly supports FM 3-0’s emphasis on endurance, survivability, and resilience in contested environments (DA, 2025). Understanding these mechanisms enables their application in wearable Soldier systems.
Application of Nanotechnology in Energy-Harvesting Clothing
Piezoelectric Nanogenerators (PENGs)
Engineers can embed piezoelectric nanogenerators into footwear, knee joints, load-bearing straps, and other high-stress areas of Soldier gear. Every step, jump, kneel, or shift in posture produces mechanical movement that these materials convert into electricity. Laboratory and field studies show that piezoelectric systems in footwear can generate power ranging from milliwatts to potentially higher outputs under optimized conditions, depending on movement, load, and terrain (Das et al., 2023; Howells, 2008).
While each generator produces modest output, the combined effect across multiple body locations becomes operationally meaningful. For example, a Soldier walking for several hours with piezoelectric elements in boots, knees, and shoulder straps could generate enough power to continuously trickle-charge radios, sensors, and navigation devices. Importantly, this power generation occurs passively and invisibly, imposing no added cognitive or physical burden on the Soldier.
Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs)
Triboelectric systems are well suited for wearables because they harvest energy from routine fabric motion without needing sunlight or external mechanical stress. When embedded between uniform layers or in webbing straps, TENGs generate electricity whenever materials rub or separate during movement. Laboratory and field prototypes show that textile-integrated TENGs can produce several milliwatts per square meter during walking, running, and load bearing, making them useful for continuous background charging (Peng et al., 2023).
Developers can integrate these materials into undershirts, combat uniforms, load-bearing vests, and gloves. Research shows that triboelectric textiles can produce tens to hundreds of milliwatts during routine motion and even higher output during vigorous activity (Golabek & Strankowski, 2024). These levels are sufficient to support trickle charging of low-power devices and embedded sensor networks.
Solar-Harvesting Nano fabrics
Nanostructured photovoltaic fabrics allow manufacturers to weave flexible solar cells directly into uniforms and equipment while preserving breathability and durability. Recent polymer and perovskite materials achieve efficiencies above 10–15% under diffuse light, allowing meaningful power generation even in cloudy or forested conditions (Choi et al., 2023; Huang et al., 2017). Integrated into sleeves, backpacks, helmet covers, and gear surfaces, these fabrics can charge micro-capacitors or Soldier-worn batteries. When combined with motion-based generators, they further improve system resilience and reduce reliance on battery resupply.
Benefits for the Soldier
Energy-harvesting clothing allows continuous trickle charging during routine movement. This reduces the number of spare batteries Soldiers must carry and lowers resupply demands. Distributed generation lets Soldiers operate longer without battery swaps, improving endurance and reducing physical burden. On multi-day patrols, Soldiers can generate small but steady amounts of energy while walking, climbing, or repositioning gear, supporting radios, sensors, and IVAS in low-power modes (Sisto, 2014; Kang, 2024).
This approach supports FM 4-0’s focus on sustainment endurance and reduced logistics footprints while meeting FM 3-0’s requirement for dispersed, low-signature operations (DA, 2024; DA, 2025). By reducing dependence on resupply, nanotechnology-enabled clothing increases Soldier autonomy and operational resilience. While wearable systems generate power through motion and fabric interaction, nanotechnology also enables energy harvesting from ambient light through integrated photovoltaic coatings.
Application of Nanotechnology in Photovoltaic Coatings
Transparent Photovoltaics for Vehicles and Structures
Nanotechnology enables transparent solar coatings that manufacturers can apply to helmet visors, vehicle windows, drone wings, tent fabrics, and shelter materials. These coatings generate electricity while staying see-through and adding almost no weight. This turns passive surfaces into active power sources without affecting visibility or camouflage (Huang et al., 2017). Nanostructured photovoltaics also perform better than traditional silicon panels in low-light and diffuse conditions. Perovskite quantum-dot systems are especially effective in urban, forested, and shaded environments that have limited direct sunlight (Choi et al., 2023; Huang et al., 2017).
Manufacturers can apply these coatings across both Soldier equipment and larger platforms. Helmet visors and weapon optics can harvest ambient light without losing clarity. Vehicle windows and drone wings can generate supplemental power during movement and exposure. Forward operating shelters and command posts can integrate solar membranes into tent fabrics to produce power without generators.
Operational Use Cases
Military researchers are testing flexible solar systems such as thin-film and foldable panels to provide silent, renewable power for Soldier equipment, remote bases, and communications gear without the noise, heat, or emissions of generators (Sisto, 2014; Tucker, 2016; Fraczek et al., 2022). Integrated into tents, backpacks, and vehicles, these decentralized systems can recharge batteries and sustain low-power electronics at patrol bases and expeditionary sites. This reduces fuel demand, battery loads, and detectable signatures that adversary ISR systems could exploit. Individually, these technologies provide incremental power gains, but their true potential emerges when integrated into a unified, multi-source energy system.
Integrated Future Soldier Power System
Combined Energy-Harvesting Architecture
A future Soldier power system will integrate multiple nanotechnology-based energy sources into a single, self-sustaining network. At uniform level, piezoelectric and triboelectric generators embedded in footwear, joints, and fabrics will convert motion and friction into electricity (Das et al., 2023; Golabek & Strankowski, 2024; Su et al., 2023; Vitorino et al., 2024). Solar fabrics woven into sleeves, packs, and helmet covers will provide supplemental power from ambient light. Transparent photovoltaic coatings on visors, optics, and equipment surfaces will further expand power generation without reducing situational awareness (Choi et al., 2023; Fraczek et al., 2022; Tucker, 2016).
At the equipment level, nano-enhanced batteries and micro-supercapacitors embedded in radios, sensors, and computers will store and regulate harvested energy, allowing continuous operation (Sripadmanabhan et al., 2019; Kang, 2024; Swanner et al., 2018). At the platform level, vehicles, drones, shelters, and command posts will use photovoltaic coatings and motion-based generators to create a distributed power network that reduces reliance on centralized generators (Fraczek et al., 2022; NRC, 2004).
This potential power structure transforms every Soldier and platform into both a power consumer and power producer, enabling energy generation wherever movement or environmental exposure occurs. Such distributed power generation aligns with FM 3-0’s emphasis on dispersed formations and FM 6-0’s requirement for resilient, decentralized command and control systems (DA, 2025; DA, 2022).
Reduced Battery Size and Weight 
Nanotechnology enabled energy harvesting shifts the Soldier power paradigm from carrying all power, to generate as you go. Piezoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid generators embedded in worn systems convert motion and environmental energy into electricity, offsetting baseline consumption and reducing battery size and quantity. Peak-power systems will still require batteries, but continuous background generation allows Soldiers minimize carried weight through fewer and lighter batteries. This improves mobility, endurance, and survivability (Golabek & Strankowski, 2024; Kang, 2024). Field studies show that gait-integrated piezoelectric systems can generate steady power without interfering with mission tasks (Vitorino et al., 2024).
Application for Future Battlefield Technologies
This architecture supports continuous power for radios, navigation systems, and tactical data networks critical to command and control in LSCO. Small drones carried by Soldiers benefit from longer endurance and less reliance on external charging, enabling more frequent reconnaissance and targeting missions (Sisto, 2014; Kang, 2024). Augmented reality systems like IVAS require sustained power to support data overlays, navigation cues, and sensor fusion displays. Continuous energy harvesting offsets baseline consumption and reduces the battery burden without reducing capability.
Operational Benefits
Operationally, this system improves mobility, survivability, and mission endurance. Soldiers carry fewer batteries, move faster, and operate longer without resupply. Reduced generator usage and battery transport lowers acoustic, thermal, and electromagnetic signatures, improving survivability against enemy ISR and long-range fires. Distributed power generation also increases resilience to equipment failure and enemy attack, helping units continue operating in degraded environments. These benefits directly support FM 3-0, FM 4-0, and FM 6-0 by enabling dispersed operations, resilient sustainment, and mission command under contested conditions (DA, 2025; DA, 2024; DA, 2022). Despite the operational advantages of a distributed energy-harvesting architecture, researchers and military planners must address several technical and practical challenges before widespread implementation.
Challenges, Limitations, and Research Considerations
Despite their promise, nanotechnology-based energy systems face challenges before widespread fielding. Durability is a major concern. Fabrics and coatings must withstand extreme temperatures, abrasion, moisture, chemicals, and repeated stress without losing performance. While laboratory studies show promising results, researchers must conduct large-scale operational testing to validate long-term durability in combat conditions (Das et al., 2023; Kang, 2024).
Scalability and manufacturing cost also present challenges. Many nanomaterials are still expensive to produce, and fabrication must move from lab prototypes to mass production while maintaining quality and reliability. Defense acquisition efforts could pursue incremental integration and fielding usable components while continuing research on next-generation materials.
Power output is another limitation. Nanogenerators can support low-power electronics and offset baseline consumption, but they cannot yet replace batteries for high-power systems such as long-range radios, drone launchers, or immersive augmented reality displays. Ongoing research into higher-efficiency materials, hybrid harvesting systems, and advanced power management aim to improve output and reliability (Swanner et al., 2018; Golabek & Strankowski, 2024).
Finally, integrating these systems with existing platforms such as Nett Warrior, IVAS, and future body-worn networks requires standardized interfaces, electromagnetic compatibility testing, cybersecurity safeguards, and doctrinal updates. These challenges highlight the need for phased experimentation, field trials, and incremental deployment aligned with Army modernization priorities. Addressing these challenges will be critical to realizing the full potential of nanotechnology-enabled energy harvesting in future battlefield operations.
Conclusion
To meet growing battlefield power demands, the Army can potentially integrate nanotechnology-based energy-harvesting systems into Soldier equipment and military platforms, enabling warfighters to generate power from movement and environmental exposure, reduce battery reliance, and improve mobility, resilience, and mission endurance. Nanotechnology-based energy harvesting enables a new model of battlefield power. By embedding generation directly into uniforms, equipment, vehicles, and structures, the Army can create a distributed and resilient power network that supports sustained operations in contested environments while reducing logistical risk. As warfare becomes more dispersed and digitally demanding, power will be as decisive as firepower. With nanotechnology, future Soldiers will not carry power into battle, they will generate it wherever they operate.
If you enjoyed this post, check out the T2COM G-2’s Operational Environment Enterprise web page, brimming with authoritative information on the Operational Environment and how our adversaries fight.
About the Author: MSG Cully is a U.S. Army leader from New Hartford, New York, with a career rooted in combat engineering and prime power operations. He enlisted in the Active Army in April 2008 and began his service as a 12B Combat Engineer before reclassifying in 2012 to 12P Prime Power Production Specialist. Throughout his career, MSG Cully has served in leadership positions from Team Leader to First Sergeant, developing Soldiers and leading technical power generation missions. He is a graduate of the Sergeants Major Academy and will serve his next assignment with the 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of War, Department of the Army, or the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM).
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