Science Daily February 5, 2020
An international team of researchers (USA – University of Nebraska, Hong Kong, China) found that the continuous droplets impinging on Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) provides a new route for the accumulation and storage of high-density surface charges. The device consists of an aluminium electrode, and an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode with a film of PTFE deposited on it. The PTFE/ITO electrode is responsible for the charge generation, storage, and induction. When a falling water droplet hits and spreads on the PTFE/ITO surface, it naturally “bridges” the aluminium electrode and the PTFE/ITO electrode, translating the original system into a closed-loop electric circuit. When the spreading water connects the two electrodes, all the stored charges on the PTFE can be fully released for the generation of electric current. They demonstrated that a drop of 100 microlitres (1 microlitre = one-millionth litre) of water released from a height of 15 cm can generate a voltage of over 140V. And the power generated can light up 100 small LED light bulbs…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Water droplet about to splash (stock image). Credit: © Guy Sagi / Adobe Stock