Generating electricity from rain

[Mugu]

Paul Simons: Weather eye

French scientists have found a way to harvest energy from falling raindrops and generate a clean, as well as renewable, source of electricity. After all, it seems such a waste to let rain drain away. A large raindrop measuring 5mm (0.2in) across, the size of a small housefly, falls at about 32km/h (20mph). The scientists have caught the falling raindrops on a special plastic material that generates a voltage when struck. Although the electrical power is tiny compared with other sources of renewable energy, rainpower could be ideal for the wet British climate. Applications may include supplying the power for a rain detector on a car windscreen wiper or weather sensors on a building.

Another intriguing source of renewable energy is to generate electricity from walking. A dynamo has been designed to strap on to a leg and squeeze enough energy from walking to power a mobile phone on a hike. It is said that the wearer would hardly notice it.

An alternative way to tap into walking is using power clothing. Body movement bends special fibres that generate enough electricity as they flex. These can charge up miniature electronic devices, such as hearing aids. The same material could also be used in flags to gather energy from the wind.


Complete article at:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article3600123.ece

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. There is also work being done to capture human methane

In addition to capturing the methane in human farts, this project is designing a butt turbine that will generate tiny amounts of energy each time it's wearer expels gas and rotates the tiny tiny turbine blades.