Researchers at the Universities of Surrey and Loughborough have established a way to generate free electrical energy from movement to power portable electronics.
In a paper published in the journal, Nano Energy the researchers have outlined how they have created direct current triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a type of low cost and lightweight energy generator that can be used to generate continuous power, like that used in most electronic devices.
The researchers have successfully demonstrated the powering of a number of electronic devices, including LEDs and electronic watches using movements similar to that found in the ambient environment.
Professor Ravi Silva, director of the Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey, said: ‘One of our chief ambitions is to make free energy possible for all by 2035 and our breakthrough strongly suggests TENGs technology will be part of the energy mix for mobile applications in that greener future.
‘Not only will this DC-TENG allow for us to improve the health of our planet, but it will also allow for future portable devices, particular Internet of Things, to thrive wirelessly and autonomously.’
The lead scientist of this project, Dr Ishara Dharmasena at Loughborough University also commented: ‘In today’s technological context, exploring novel autonomous power sources which can sustainably generate electricity using freely available energy in our surrounding is pivotal to the success of future electronic technologies. With the invention of DC-TENG technology, we are moving one step closer to achieving this dream.’
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