A fibrous hydroelectric generator derived from eco-friendly sodium alginate for low-grade energy harvesting
image: Schematic diagram of fiber electricity generation process.
Credit: Feng Gong, Jiaming Song, Haotian Chen, Hao Li, Runnan Huang, Yuhang Jing, Peng Yang, Junjie Feng & Rui Xiao.
With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things and wearable electronics, the demand for sustainable, miniaturized power sources is increasing. Low-grade energy, such as ambient moisture, represents a widely available but underexploited resource. Current moisture-enabled generators often face limitations, including low power output, poor flexibility, and the use of non-biodegradable materials, restricting their practical application in wearable technology.
A study published in Frontiers in Energy by Feng Gong, Jiaming Song, Haotian Chen, Hao Li, and colleagues from School of Energy and Environment at Southeast University and Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Hong Kong, introduces a novel fibrous hydroelectric generator made from eco-friendly sodium alginate (SA) and graphene oxide (GO). This research highlights the development of a low-cost, biodegradable fiber that efficiently harvests energy from ambient humidity.
The SA-GO fibers, 5 cm in length and 0.15 mm in diameter, feature abundant microchannels and functional groups (–COOH, –OH). When exposed to moisture, these fibers generate an open-circuit voltage of up to 0.25 V and a short-circuit current of 4 µA, outperforming many existing moist-electric generators. The study confirms that the streaming potential, driven by the directional movement of protons (H+) with water flow through capillary channels, is the primary power generation mechanism. The fibers demonstrate excellent mechanical strength, flexibility, and stable long-term output. Connecting multiple fibers in series or parallel successfully powered small electronic devices, such as LEDs.
This work provides a feasible strategy for designing biodegradable, fibrous energy harvesters. It demonstrates significant potential for recovering low-grade energy from the environment or human body, offering a sustainable power solution for future wearable and self-powered electronic systems.
Original source:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11708-024-0930-z
https://journal.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/10.1007/s11708-024-0930-z
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https://rdcu.be/eRYXp