Unusual nanogenerator created in Switzerland
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Specialists of one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, located in Switzerland, with the support of Tokyo scientists have created a device that can feed small electronic devices. A distinctive feature of the new device is that it is created with the help of the most common materials that almost every one of us uses in their daily lives. Scientists note that the energy produced will be enough to power the LCD screen, several diodes and other small devices, especially the new device is suitable for use in developing countries in medical diagnostic devices that consume little power.
The new device is small in size - only 8 cm 2 and consists of two ordinary sheets of paper, on which a graphite carbon layer is applied (with the help of a pencil known to all). It is the carbon layer that acts as an electrode and a compact device capable of producing more than 3 volts of energy - enough to power the remote control. The free side of one of the sheets is covered with Teflon, and in combination they (coating and paper) act as insulators. At its core, the new device generates static electricity.
The scientists explained that the whole construction was assembled with the help of an adhesive tape and resembled a sandwich - on the outside there was a double layer of carbon, then a double layer of paper and a Teflon layer in the middle. Further, all the layers were glued together in such a way that they did not touch each other, as a result, an electrically neutral structure was obtained.
When finger is pressed, two insulators come into contact, a differential is created - for Teflon it is negative, for paper is positive, after releasing the finger the paper separates, the charge enters the carbon layers, which, as already mentioned, protrude as electrodes. The capacitor placed on the circuit absorbs the weak electric signal produced by the system.
In the course of their work, scientists managed to increase the production of electricity with sandpaper, which allowed to get a rough surface. Pressing the sandpaper, experts placed it closely to the paper parts, which increased the contact area and the production of electricity several times.
The device generates a current every time it is pressed, but even if it is pressed with a low frequency, it is possible to generate enough power to supply nano- or micro-sensors (comparable to the energy produced by 2 AA batteries).
The scientists named their invention triboelectric nanogenerates, abbreviated as TENG.
This generator can be used in inexpensive sensors that are used in the medical field in developing countries. New compact devices can easily replace conventional batteries that are widely used in similar applications, but after use, the nano-generator can be composted, unlike batteries that have been poisoning the land for a long time in landfills.
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