Advanced Technology Institute's nanogenerator (Credit: University of Surrey)
GUILDFORD, United Kingdom — Exercising has many health benefits. Soon, it could help lower your electricity bill! Instead of spending hours charging your wearable devices, scientists from The United Kingdom have developed a nano-device that generates electricity derived from running energy.
The flexible nanogenerator could become as helpful in creating clean energy as solar cells. In a study published in Nano Energy, researchers showed that the new nanogenerator had a 140-fold increase in rechargeable power than traditional nanogenerators.
The device converts small bits of mechanical energy into electricity. Traditional nanogenerators create 10 milliwatts of power, but researchers find this new nanotechnology increases electrical power to 1,000 milliwatts. The high conversion to electrical power makes the new nanogenerator capable of regularly powering devices like smartwatches.
“What’s really exciting is that our little device with high energy harvesting density could one day rival the power of solar panels and could be used to run anything from self-powered sensors to smart home systems that run without ever needing a battery change,” explains Md Delowar Hussain, a researcher at the University of Surrey and lead author of the study, in a media release.
Demonstration of the nanogenerator (Credit: University of Surrey)
Researchers created a triboelectric nanogenerator that collects and converts the energy from everyday movements into electricity. It uses materials that become electrically charged when in contact and then separate. Think of how rubbing a balloon on someone’s hair makes it cling to each other because of static electricity.
Instead of one electrode passing energy by itself, the new device has a relay of workers who convert mechanical energy, like running, into electricity. Each electrode collects a charge and then passes it on to the next electrode. The accumulating charge creates more energy in a process known as the charge regeneration effect.
Hussain says the end goal is to use these nanogenerators to capture and use energy from everyday movements, like your morning run, mechanical vibrations, ocean waves, or opening a door.
“The key innovation with our nanogenerator is that we’ve fine-tuned the technology with 34 tiny energy collectors using a laser technique that can be scaled up for manufacture to increase energy efficiency further,” Hussain says.
For now, the researchers are working on launching a company that uses nanogenerators like the one in the study to create self-powered, non-invasive healthcare sensors. These devices could then expand to other sections of health tech.
Paper Summary
Methodology
The researchers developed a special type of energy harvester called a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). This device captures mechanical energy from movements, such as walking or vibrations, and converts it into electricity. The key innovation in this study was the use of interdigitated electrode arrays, which are tiny, comb-like structures that enhance the device’s ability to generate power.
The team experimented with different configurations of these electrode arrays, varying the gap between the “fingers” and the number of electrode pairs, to maximize the power output. They also used a laser to precisely etch these patterns onto a flexible material, allowing for mass production of the devices.
Key Results
The study found that by carefully designing the electrode arrays, the energy harvester’s power output could be increased by over 100 times compared to traditional designs. This improvement is significant because it means these devices can now generate enough power to be comparable to small solar panels, making them much more practical for everyday use. The researchers tested different configurations and identified the best design that maximized power output while remaining efficient to produce.
Study Limitations
First, the experiments were conducted under controlled conditions, so the performance of these devices in real-world settings may vary. Additionally, the materials used, while effective, might need further refinement to ensure long-term durability and cost-effectiveness. The study also focused on specific design parameters, so there may be other factors that could further enhance or limit the performance of these devices.
Discussion & Takeaways
This research demonstrates a significant leap forward in the efficiency of triboelectric nanogenerators. By optimizing the design of the electrode arrays, the team was able to achieve a power output that brings these devices closer to being a viable alternative to traditional energy sources like batteries or small solar panels.
This could have a wide range of applications, from powering wearable devices to providing energy in remote locations. The study highlights the importance of precise design in enhancing the performance of energy harvesters and opens the door to further innovations in this field.
Funding & Disclosures
The research was funded by the Advanced Technology Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Surrey. The authors have declared that there are no conflicts of interest related to this study. The work was conducted as part of the university’s ongoing efforts to develop sustainable and scalable energy solutions.
