Nanowerk May 10, 2021
The water-droplet/solid-based triboelectric nanogenerator, has so far generated peak power densities of less than one watt per square metre, due to the limitations imposed by interfacial effects. An international team of researchers (China, USA – University of Nebraska, Hong Kong) has developed a droplet-based electricity generator (DEG) using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film on an indium tin oxide substrate plus an aluminium electrode. When the spreading water connects the two electrodes, all the stored charges on the PTFE can be fully released to generate an electric current. As a result, both the instantaneous power density and energy conversion efficiency are much higher than other materials. A drop of water released from a height of 15 cm can generate a voltage of over 140V, lighting up 100 small LED bulbs. The DEG works with rainwater and seawater, efficiency is unaffected by humidity changes, in the long run, the new design could be installed on a variety of surfaces including ferry hulls, umbrellas, coastlines and even inside water bottles…read more. Video TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Design of DEG. Credit: Nature volume 578, pages392–396(2020)Â