Power From the Sea?

The nonstop movement of ocean wavers could make them an ideal source for energy. Zhong Lin Wang leads a team at Georgia Institute of Technology that developed “an inexpensive and simple prototype of a triboelectric nanogenerator that could be used to produce energy and as a chemical or temperature sensor,” reports Phys.org. The research was introduced in the journal Angewandte Chemie, and Phys.org describes the research generator that includes deionized water, copper foil electrodes and special plastic patterned with nanoscale pyramids. Of course, the plastic components mean the device still depends on oil, even if a small amount. “Periodic raising and lowering of the lid while the electrodes are connected to a rectifier and capacitor produces a direct current that can be used to light an array of 60 LEDs,” the report notes. Humidity, high temperatures and salt reduce output, though the variations suggest the device could be also be used as a sensor. Oceans make up more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, and applications will require more testing. – YaleGlobal