Phys.org February 17, 2020
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a thin-film device they call “Air-gen”, made from nanometre-scale protein wires harvested from the microbe Geobacter sulfurreducens that can generate continuous electric power in the ambient environment. The devices produce a sustained voltage of around 0.5 volts across a 7-micrometre-thick film, with a current density of around 17 microamperes per square centimetre. According to the researchers the driving force behind this energy generation is a self-maintained moisture gradient that forms within the film when the film is exposed to the humidity that is naturally present in air. Connecting several devices linearly scales up the voltage and current to power electronics. The Air-gen does not require sunlight or wind and works indoors as well. The results demonstrate the feasibility of a continuous energy-harvesting strategy that is less restricted by location or environmental conditions than other sustainable approaches…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Graphic image of a thin film of protein nanowires generating electricity from atmospheric humidity. UMass Amherst researchers say the device can literally make electricity out of thin air. Credit: UMass Amherst/Yao and Lovley lab