Scientists develop low-cost solution that generates electricity from air

[Bayard]

Could battery-powered electronics soon be a thing of the past?



Scientists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created a device capable of generating electricity from the water vapor that is naturally present in the atmosphere. This could be a true game-changer, especially with regard to powering wireless electronics.
The device, coined the “Air-gen,” traces its roots back more than three decades to the muddy shores of the Potomac River. There, scientists discovered an unusual microbe belonging to the Geobacter genus that, among other things, could produce magnetite without oxygen.

While experimenting with the material, electrical engineer Jun Yao discovered – almost by accident – that when the nanowires were contacted with electrodes in a specific way, they generated a current.

“I found that exposure to atmospheric humidity was essential and that protein nanowires adsorbed water, producing a voltage gradient across the device,” the scientist said.

Current iterations generate a sustained voltage of around 0.5 volts, ScienceAlert notes, but the team said multiple devices could be used together to generate enough power to charge small electronics like smartphones. Best yet, the tech is renewable, non-polluting, low-cost and even works in areas with low humidity like in the desert. Unlike other renewable sources of energy such as solar or wind, it even works indoors.

The team ultimately wants to develop large-scale systems capable of supplying electricity off the grid. It may even be possible to incorporate it into wall paint to help power your home.

https://www.techspot.com/news/84083-scientists-develop-low-cost-solution-generates-electricity-air.html

[RT Atlanta]

1. bump

Hopeful this plays out.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Please Lord, let articles like this sustain me on DU in the coming months.

[marlakay]

4. I know the feeling we all need some hope

Whoopi just said on the view that its not illegal for Obama to run as VP and wouldn’t that blow everyone’s mind.

I doubt he or Joe would but she was right.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. He's the only man that I would find reasonable, though they are both

technically moderates. Maybe he's learned a few lessons along the way? Maybe he would do things differently? At least this time around he knows we have his back. We know the Republicans are pure evil and will do whatever they can to discredit and disinform. But we are here to set the record straight.

[Wounded Bear]

6. No, he can't...

he's not eligible for Pres any more, and thus is not eligible for VP either.

[marlakay]

8. A constitutional guy from Cornell university

Said that the 22nd amendment says that you can only be elected two times to president and if he was elected VP that is new and if Joe died thats not being elected so if challenged it would stand unless they changed the amendment.

[dmr]

3. Fasinating

[Disaffected]

7. Don't hold your breath...

Generating a "sustained" voltage is pretty meaningless for two reasons. First, "sustained" does not equate to "continuous" i.e. the device will peter-out as it cannot absorb an unlimited amount of water and will have to be regenerated at some point (otherwise it would be an "overunity" device which is not possible). Secondly, citing a voltage without the accompanying amperage gives not indication of power generated (which is the significant metric).

IOWs already existing battery like devices will generate a voltage and significant amounts of power by adding water but you can only add so much water before the reaction stops and the device needs to be recharged with whatever is in it that reacts with water to produce the electricity.