via American Chemical Society
Flexible Seaweed-Like Triboelectric Nanogenerator as a Wave Energy Harvester Powering Marine Internet of Things
Ocean waves can be powerful, containing enough energy to push around sand, pebbles and even boulders during storms. These waves, as well as smaller, more gentle ones, could be tapped as a source of renewable energy. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Nano have developed flexible power generators that mimic the way seaweed sways to efficiently convert surface and underwater waves into electricity to power marine-based devices.
Across many coastal zones, networks of sensors collect information on the water’s currents, tides and clarity to help ships navigate and to monitor water quality. This “marine internet of things” is powered mostly by batteries that have to be replaced from time to time, which is time-consuming and expensive. Wind and solar power could be used, but they aren’t suitable for underwater applications. Looking to harness the ocean’s continuous movement as a renewable energy source, researchers initially developed floating devices that converted wave energy into electricity using rotating magnets. But these devices were inefficient with less frequent waves, such as those found underwater. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which rely on surfaces coming in contact to produce static electricity, could be a way to address this challenge because of their effectiveness for harvesting low-frequency, low-amplitude wave energy. So, Minyi Xu, Zhong Lin Wang and colleagues were inspired by plants living on the seafloor to create flexible TENGs. The researchers wanted to copy the way strands of seaweed vibrate to charge bendable triboelectric surfaces, harvesting the movement of waves into electricity to power floating and submerged marine sensors.
To make the triboelectric surfaces, the researchers coated 1.5-inch by 3-inch strips of two different polymers in a conductive ink. Then a small sponge was wedged between the strips, creating a thin air gap, and the whole unit was sealed, creating a TENG. In tests, as the TENGs were moved up and down in water, they bent back and forth, generating electricity. When the researchers put the TENGs in water pressures similar to those found underwater in coastal zones, they found that the air gap between the two conductive materials decreased. However, the devices still generated a current at 100 kPa of pressure — the same pressure that typically exists at a 30-foot water depth where there is almost no underwater wave movement. Finally, the researchers used a wave tank to demonstrate that multiple TENGs could be used as a mini underwater power station, supplying energy for either a thermometer, 30 LEDs or a blinking miniature lighthouse LED beacon. The researchers say their seaweed-like TENG could reduce the reliance on batteries in coastal zones, including for marine sensors.
Original Article: Plugging into ocean waves with a flexible, seaweed-like generator
More from: American Chemical Society | Dalian Maritime University
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Triboelectric nanogenerator
- Unveiling the Potential of Fluorinated Phenolic Polyurethane Elastomers
It also has low surface energy (50.9 MJ m −2), notch-insensitivity, and reprocessability. The team has prepared an anti-fouling Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) with a self-healing and ...
- “Drinking Bird” Becomes an Evaporation-Driven Triboelectricity Energy Harvester
Researchers combined the drinking bird toy with a triboelectric arrangement to create a high-voltage energy-harvesting scheme.
- Scientists unveil self-cleaning solar panel technology poised to revolutionize energy sector: 'A major step'
This is the type of technological advancement that we can hope and expect to see more of as solar and wind continue to become more widespread. Scientists unveil self-cleaning solar panel technology ...
- Loughborough University develops nanogenerators for ‘smart clothing’
The research, led by the University’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, has used 3D printing techniques to create a new Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) design.
- Loughborough University project helps further develop nanogenerators for “smart clothing”.
A Loughborough University project is helping in the drive to develop nanogenerator technology which can lead to “affordable” clothing capable of sensing how healthy we are.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Triboelectric nanogenerator
[google_news title=”” keyword=”triboelectric nanogenerator” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Flexible power generators
- Citing costs, Capital Power cancels $2.4 billion carbon capture project
The company ultimately concluded that the project was not economically feasible, even with government subsidies.
- Unlock the Power of Online Income Generation: A Revolutionary Business Concept to Earn Money Online
The Rise of Online Income GenerationThe world of online income generation has witnessed a significant surge in recent years, with millions of individuals turning to the internet to earn a living. This ...
- Market-First Three-Engine Generator Unveiled in Aggreko's Brand New POWERMX Range
Energy solutions company, Aggreko has unveiled a comprehensive range of Stage V multi-engine generators to provide flexible, reliable, clean and efficient power to sectors with demanding and varying ...
- Energy Storage: A New Asset Class Buyers Of Power Should Consider Investing In
Investing in energy storage doesn’t just provide a pathway for reducing carbon emissions; it’s also a pathway for potential savings on electricity and energy costs.
- The new generation of workers is ‘Gen Global’
“Gen Global” has entered the chat—and the workforce. Gen Global is a new generation of workers that wants growth opportunities, diverse experiences, workplace flexibility and independence associated ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Flexible power generators
[google_news title=”” keyword=”flexible power generators” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]