2023-09-11 08:30:00
In the race to improve the efficiency of solar panels, China has taken innovation a step further by using its technology to harness the energy of raindrops. Researchers at Tsinghua University have presented a completely new approach to renewable energy generation that could transform the way we get electricity from rain.
The idea behind this innovative concept is simple: when rain falls from the sky, it carries with it a significant amount of energy that, if properly captured, can be converted into electricity. Zong Li, a professor at Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, and his colleagues describe this energy as “abundant, kinetic and electrostatic,” making it a valuable energy source.
The key technology behind this concept is the “triboelectric nanogenerator” (TENG), which can successfully harvest energy from raindrops through “liquid-solid contact electrification.” This technology is also used to harness energy from other sources, such as ocean waves. However, the challenge lies in taking this to a meaningful scale.
Scientists have faced difficulties in using droplet-based TENGs (D-TENGs) to continuously generate power on a larger scale, as the power output decreases when multiple D-TENGs are connected due to unintentional coupling between the electrodes. upper and lower.
The solution proposed by the Chinese researchers is a “bridge array generator” (BAG) that resembles a solar panel. This bottom electrode array and bridge reflow structure seeks to minimize steep output power decline in large-scale power generation devices. With a droplet collection area of 15×15 cm², the BAGs achieve a peak power output of 200 W/m², which could pave the way for a large-scale industrial application.
What makes this approach even more intriguing is the constant comparison researchers make to traditional solar panels. They claim that their BAG generator is “similar to a solar panel” and that its design makes the power generation units independent of each other, keeping the power output of large-scale D-TENGs high and independent of size.
This breakthrough could have a significant impact on generating energy from rain and ultimately open up new possibilities for large-scale renewable energy production. Although there are still technical challenges to overcome, Chinese researchers are optimistic about the potential of their approach and its ability to change the way we harness energy from rain.
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