Rain as another source of renewable energy (2 photos + video)

Development of alternative sourcesrenewable energy sometimes leads to original and unexpected inventions. A research team led by scientists from the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) recently developed a new form of a droplet-based electric generator (DEG), which allows the accumulation and use of the energy of falling rain drops.

Attempts to curb rain energy and get thisThus, a practically inexhaustible source of renewable energy, has been undertaken many times to this day. However, only researchers from Hong Kong were able to achieve real results and create the most effective solution.

The generated electric generator has the structuresimilar to a field effect transistor (FET) and which provides high energy conversion efficiency. One drop weighing 100 microliters, falling from a height of 15 cm, is capable of generating a voltage of 140 V, while the produced power is enough for 100 small LEDs to work. The efficiency of the technology was achieved using a field-effect transistor structure, whereas earlier, when generating without FET, specific power was generated thousands of times less.

The invention is based on two electrodes: one is aluminum, and the second is indium tin oxide (ITO) coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film. PTFE is a material with a quasi-constant electric charge, which provides the accumulation and storage of high-density surface charges.

When a drop hits the surface, both electrodesthey are closed in a single circuit, and on their surface there is an accumulation of surface charge, up to the saturation point. High density surface charges upon release generate an electric current in the circuit. You can use the invention for any surfaces in contact with water splashes: roofs of houses, bottle umbrellas and ships.

Source: Engadget