A few researchers from NUS (National University of Singapore) College of Design and Engineering (CDE). Invented an Ultra-thin device that generates electricity from the moisture that is present in the air.
A team of researchers in Singapore, led by Assistant Professor Tan Swee Ching from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Under CDE, innovated a new technique by which we can generate moisture-based electricity. That device would be capable of maintaining the difference in water content. Across the regions for the generation of electricity and continue to produce output for long hours.
The concept of electricity being composed of moisture in the air
A combination of pulp and polyester, a team utilize fabric made out of it. The process is one part of the fabric that is coated with hygroscopic ionic hydrogel and is also called a wet region. A gel that is made up of sea salt can absorb more than six times its original weight and collect moisture out of the air.
Associate Professor Tan shared that “sea salt was chosen as the water-absorbing compound. Thats because of its non-toxic properties and its potential as a sustainable option for desalination plants to dispose of the resulting sea salt and brine.”
The device MEG congregates and can generate electricity when the sea salt ions separate as water is absorbed by a wet area. The presence of a negative charge from carbon nanoparticles will attract free ions with positive charges. This process induces an electric charge onto the fabric. And these surface changes give the fabric the ability to store electricity for later use.
Thanks to this unique asymmetric structure, the electrical performance of our MEG device. It is greatly improved compared to previous MEG technologies. And making it possible to power many common electronic devices such as health monitors and wearable electronics, explained Asst. Professor Tan.
The team demonstrated the flexible properties of the device by twisting it into an origami crane. And not affecting its electrical performance. Its unique wet-dry region design maintains high water content in the wet. Its region and low water content in the dry region.
