Every day we use various tablets, phones, household appliances, all kinds of devices to take care of ourselves and our home, but at the same time, the amount of energy we consume is increasing. Considering that our needs for this useful resource are increasing every day, we can make a logical conclusion that a new energy problem is brewing. Fortunately, scientists have studied the problem of energy scarcity and have found perhaps the most abundant and sustainable source of renewable energy.
How does a triboelectric nanogenerator work?
Even in Ancient Greece, they noticed that if you rub a piece of amber on an animal's hair, it will begin to attract small particles and dust. The phenomenon in which two dissimilar materials exchange charge during friction is commonly referred to as the “triboelectric effect”. It was this that inspired scientists to find a way to collect static energy from the ocean, air, and even the movement of our bodies.
In 2012, a team of scientists developed the first triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). TENG has a principle of operation similar to that of static electricity: two materials, opposite in their structure, exchange energy and accumulate opposite charges. If you attach electrodes and wires to such oppositely charged structures, then the resulting current can charge some types of devices.
TENG is a small sphere with enough energy to light a small LED light bulb.
A team of research scientists conducted several experiments, during which it turned out that if you place a grid of 1000 spheres in the ocean, then the generated energy will be enough to operate a standard light bulb. Thus, a grid of approximately 500 meters is capable of generating energy for a small town. Scientists do not want to dwell on the results achieved and plan to create a matrix of generating spheres with an area approximately equal to the state of Georgia.
Promotional video:
Shoes with phone charging ports
In China, thanks to the new TENG technology, triboelectric powered air filters are already being sold. In addition, in the next two years, it is planned to release shoes with nanogenerators and ports for charging devices. During an active walk, the shoes generate enough energy to charge the phone and other modern gadgets.
Generators built into your shoes help you charge your gadget.
It should be noted that most new technologies have many disadvantages. As often happens, the invented energy source is already being actively criticized by environmental activists due to the lack of any information about the potential harm of the latest generators to marine life. In addition, the question of whether it is possible to create mass production of spherical generators and apply them in practice does not yet have its own worthy answer.
Daria Eletskaya