14 DAY TRIAL // According to a team of researchers, it might happen that one day – hopefully in the near future, and not in the distant one – it will be possible to power mobile devices simply by walking around or caressing them with the palm of one's hand.
Thus, these scientists explain that, according to their investigations into the matter at hand, it is possible to tap into the energy potential of human motion.
Besides, they further detail that, once this is achieved, people themselves can be the chief power source for the mobile devices that currently rely on the grid to keep up and running.
EurekAlert reports that, together with his colleagues, scientist Zhong Lin Wang has managed to develop a so-called triboelectric nanogenerator, otherwise known as a TENG.
In order to create this TENG, the researchers paired together two sheets made of different materials. Of these sheets, one is in charge of donating electrons, whereas the other is supposed to accept them.
The scientists say that, when these sheets come into contact with one another, electrons flow from one to the other. When they part, on the other hand, a voltage develops between them.
Since they first started working on this project until now, Zhong Lin Wang and his fellow researchers have managed to up the power density output of their generator by a factor of 100,000.
Specifically, information made available to the public says that the power density output that they currently boost is one of 300 watts per square meter.
By the looks of it, this increase in the generator's output is chiefly due to the use of nanomaterials.
“The amount of charge transferred depends on surface properties,” Zhong Lin Wang said in a recent interview.
“Making patterns of nanomaterials on the polymer films' surfaces increases the contact area between the sheets and can make a 1,000-fold difference in the power generated,” he added.
If incorporated into shoe insoles, whistles, foot pedals, floor mats, and even backpacks, this technology can help harvest the energy potential of human motion, and use it to roll out clean and sustainable power.
What's more, and his colleagues say that, should such generators be fitted onto ocean buoys, the natural movement of waves would become a valuable power source.
The researchers are now working on figuring out how to make this technology commercially available, and hope that it will not be long until human society begins harvesting motion energy in this innovative manner.
Check out the video below to learn more about Zhong Lin Wang's and his colleagues' triboelectric nanogenerator.
