Bacterial spore-polymer composites harness energy from evaporation to power locomotion and generate electricity
The Science
Could water evaporating provide power? Biological systems are known to convert energy generated from the evaporation of water confined within nanoscale compartments into muscle-like mechanical work in response to changes in environmental humidity. Recently, scientists designed shape-changing engineered composites of bacterial spores and a polymer that used an evaporation-driven process to power locomotion and generate electricity.
The Impact
By harvesting the energy from water evaporation in the environment researchers demonstrated self-sustained power generation from engines placed at air-water interfaces. These evaporation-driven engines could power robotic systems, sensor, devices, and machinery.
Summary
Evaporation is a powerful natural force able to extract and deliver water over great distances, from oceans to mountaintops. On a smaller scale, biological systems harness the energy of evaporation, such as when wheat releases pollen and pine cones release seeds. These biological systems convert energy generated from the evaporation of water confined within nanoscale compartments into mechanical work in response to changes in environmental humidity. Extending this energy conversion ability to human-made systems has proven to be difficult. One reason is the decreased evaporation rates in larger engineered assemblies (compared to confined spaces) coupled with the slow rate of change in humidity.
As a result, scaled-up energy conversion systems based on water evaporation and adsorption cycles have been a neglected area of research. Scientists at Columbia University have effectively harvested energy from evaporation in the environment to drive engines that start and run autonomously when placed near a water surface. Arrays of artificial “muscles” composed of bacterial spores on a polymer strip enhanced the water evaporation rates when scaled-up. Researchers optimized the thickness of the spore layer for rapid water transport into and out of the nanopores. The energy of evaporation was harnessed to power the muscle.
A small portion of the power operated a feedback mechanism to address the slow and variable rate of change in environmental humidity, enabling rapid cycling between spore swelling to stretch the muscle and shrinking to contract the muscle. Upon stretching at a desired humidity, the self-regulating feedback mechanism allows the humidity to decrease. Precise control of this process enabled self-sustained power generation from piston-driven and rotary engines when placed at air-water interfaces—powering a light source and moving a miniature car forward. These results could enable evaporation-driven engines to power robotic systems and sensors.
Read more: Evaporation-powered Motor and Light
The Latest on: Evaporation-powered motor
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Evaporation-powered motor” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Evaporation-powered motor
- The essential device every electric car should have - and why it makes a differenceon May 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
In contrast, electric cars offer a greater level of efficiency: while the motors and batteries do produce excess heat that can limit range, there isn’t enough to be used to power other systems ...
- Toyota 4Runner 4th Generation 2003-2009 (N210) Review: All Trims, Facelift Includedon May 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm
There are two engine options available for the Toyota 4Runner ... The V8 comes standard with the five-speed automatic transmission and gets a healthy power boost for 2005. The 4Runner 4th gen is sold ...
- How Sewage Is Helping Along the Energy Transitionon May 1, 2024 at 4:00 am
Cities, utilities and buildings are increasingly turning to some unlikely renewables to reduce fossil fuel emissions.
- Propane Coolant, Electric Brakes, Death Wobble Cure? 5 Cool Tech Ideas from ZFon April 30, 2024 at 2:29 pm
The Tier 1 supplier set up an OEM customer demo-drive to show off its latest innovations, and we snuck in a few test drives before the show opened.
- SwitchBot S10 review: with plumbing hookups, this robovac and mop is actually hands-freeon April 30, 2024 at 10:30 am
The S10 is the first combo vacuum / mop I’ve tested that can hook directly into your plumbing, so you don’t need a bulky, multifunctional charging dock to take care of the robot. Instead of one giant ...
- Air quality alert affecting Jefferson and Shelby counties Wednesdayon April 30, 2024 at 7:08 am
Use the bus or car pool to work. Avoid use of gasoline power lawn and garden equipment. Refuel cars and trucks after 6 p.m. Limit engine idling. Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways ...
- Toyota RAV4 4th Generation 2013-2018 (XA40) Review: All Trims, Facelift Includedon April 29, 2024 at 11:16 am
The RAV4 kicked off with three trims for the 2013 model year, namely LE, XLE, and Limited. This remained unchanged until the 2016 facelift, when the sporty SE trim was added, as well as the Hybrid and ...
- How to Prepare Equipment for Summer Extremeson April 28, 2024 at 10:50 pm
From operator health to equipment maintenance, steps can be taken to protect the assets and people on construction sites.
- Study Shows Almost Half Of All Cars Are Driven With Warning Lights Onon April 24, 2024 at 6:00 am
All vehicles built since 1996 are equipped with what’s called an OBD II (onboard diagnostics) system that taps into a car’s electronic control unit on a real-time basis and illuminates either of ...
- Is Costco's Kirkland Brand Motor Oil Any Good, And Who Makes It?on April 24, 2024 at 4:15 am
For the surprisingly affordable price, customers might wonder who actually makes Costco's Kirkland brand motor oil and whether the product is any good.
via Bing News