The world’s energy demand is continuously increasing, with fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, coal, oil shales, tar sands, bitumens, and heavy oils remaining the primary source.
These, however, release massive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) when burned, making them the leading cause of climate change. This, in turn, fuels global warming, alters weather patterns, worsens natural disasters, and endangers both ecosystems and human health.
With global energy consumption projected to rise by 50% from 2005 to 2030, it’s no surprise that researchers are increasingly seeking alternative energy sources to meet demand while reducing environmental impact.
Now, in a bid to address rising energy demand, researchers have come up with an unconventional way to produce electricity by using tiny plastic beads. When positioned next to each other and brought into contact, the beads appeared to generate more energy than usual, through triboelectrification.
The phenomenon, known as the triboelectric effect, occurs when physical contact between two dielectric materials generates triboelectric charges on their surfaces, similar to how rubbing a balloon against hair creates static electricity.
A closer look at the research
The team, consisting of scientists from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Riga Technical University, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and the MESA+ Institute at the University of Twente, focused on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) in their study. Capable of converting mechanical movement into electrical energy, these devices rely on the interaction between materials to generate charge.
The current research reveals that when a tightly packed surface of small beads touches another surface with identical beads, some of them gain a positive charge while others become negatively charged. Ultimately, greater charge transfer boosts electricity production.
After conducting tests with various bead types, researchers discovered that size and material are crucial factors, with larger beads generally acquiring a negative charge, while smaller ones are more likely to become positively charged.
However, melamine-formaldehyde (MF) beads exhibited the most significant effect, demonstrating superior charge retention and transfer efficiency. This occurred because the material’s low elasticity allowed it to retain and transfer electric charge more effectively.
According to the researchers, using beads not only provides a more affordable alternative to costly TENG technology but also improves sustainability by eliminating the need for solvents through dry fabrication.
Future energy technologies
The scientists believe that innovations in triboelectrification could open the door to novel energy-harvesting technologies capable of functioning independently of batteries or external power sources.
They point out that smart clothing, which converts motion into energy, and self-powered devices that require no charging are getting closer to becoming a reality. As a result, wearable technology and sustainable energy solutions are poised to benefit from this innovation.
“Our research shows that small changes in material selection can lead to significant improvements in energy generation efficiency,” Ignaas Jimidar, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at VUB and lead author of the study, says in a press release. “This opens up new possibilities for triboelectric nanogenerators in everyday life, without reliance on traditional energy sources.”
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Nevertheless, Jimidar points out that despite the promising potential, significant work remains to improve efficiency and reliability before the technology can be widely applied. The study has been published in the journal Small.
Georgina Jedikovska Georgina Jedikovska, journalist, plant engineer, oenophile and foodie. Based in Skopje, North Macedonia. Holds an MSc. degree in Horticultural Engineering, with a specialization in viticulture and oenology. Loves travelling, exploring new cultures, a good read, great food and flavorful wines. Enjoys writing about archaeology, history, and environmental sciences.
