Energy requirements are increasing every day with the increased use of electronics. Energy shortages are one of the prime issues in many countries today.
Nano-Electric Power Generation
A nanogenerator converts small-scale physical changes, like mechanical or heat energy, into electricity. Piezoelectric, triboelectric, and pyroelectric are three types of nanogenerators that are capable of producing electric power.
Researchers have demonstrated nano power generation by using the generated power to drive wireless sensor systems, LCDs, LEDs, and even charge a portable lithium-ion battery.
They used a pyroelectric nanogenerator (PENG), which provided an output voltage of 22 V for a 45K temperature change. This output voltage powered a liquid crystal display (LCD) for more than 60 seconds. It even charged a Li-ion battery, which is used to power a green light-emitting diode (LED).
Triboelectric Generators and Future Applications
Researchers also used an arch-shaped triboelectric generator (TENG), which obtained an output voltage of 230 V with an energy conversion efficiency of 10-39%. Researchers say that the generated power could have numerous applications in portable electronics.
The power generated by these nanogenerators can be a sustainable power source for cell phones and other gadgets in the near future.
Source: Journal Nano Letters
