“Eternal” Battery That Always Comes Back To Life After Rain
Credit: Pixabay
Researchers from the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne published the results of their research into generating energy from evaporating seawater in the journal Nature Communications. The LNET Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technologies created a silicon semiconductor that converts water evaporation into electricity.
The new work is a continuation of a 2024 study. At that time, the scientists reported creating a hydroelectric device that doesn’t require highly purified water. Water of any salinity, from tap water to seawater, can generate electricity. This makes the solution affordable, as highly purified water is expensive.
In a paper published two years ago, the scientists described a basic platform for studying hydroelectricity. Now, they have presented a working module based on this platform, incorporating the knowledge they gained earlier. Essentially, they have created a three-layer generator that operates on any available water. This is no longer a scientific instrument; it is a potential commercial product.
In the design, the top layer facilitates moisture evaporation, naturally creating an upward flow of liquid. The liquid (water) transports dissolved ions to the upper edge, resulting in the formation of a surface charge and the separation of charges into “upper” and “lower,” which in turn generates a current. The middle layer is responsible for the transport of these ions, and the bottom layer is a nanostructured silicon electrode—an array of silicon nanopillars.
According to the developers, this technology will enable the creation of autonomous sensor networks powered without batteries. The devices will be able to function anywhere there is sunlight, heat, and access to water. The researchers hope to apply the technology to environmental monitoring systems, IoT devices, and wearables.
