What alternatives are there as power supply to batteries?

Nanotechnology holds out the possibility that the surface of a device will become a natural source of energy via a covering of “Nanograss” structures that harvest solar power. At the same time new high energy density storage materials allow batteries to become smaller and thinner, while also quicker to recharge and able to endure more charging cycles.

Source: http://www.nokia.com/link?cid=EDITORIAL_882484

Samsung Electro-Mechanics has developed a micro-fuel cell and hydrogen generator that runs on water. When the handset is turned on, metal and water in the phone react to produce hydrogen gas. The gas is then supplied to the fuel cell where it reacts with oxygen in the air to generate power.

Source: http://www.sem.samsung.com/cms/_work/en/company/news/newsView.jsp?seq=641

Another alternative is called energy harvesting. This article lists the following type of energy harvesting:

• winding
• solar cells
• ambient RF
• motion based generators
• thermoelectricity

The following diagram from the article shows the order of magnitude in energy which can be harvested:

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