Using the gravitational energy of water to generate power by separation of charge at interfaces.

ABSTRACT: When a fluid comes into contact with a solid surface, charge separates at the interface. This study describes a method that harvests the gravitational energy of water-available in abundance naturally, such as in rain and rivers-through the separation of charge at the interface. Essentially, it is found that water can be charged by flowing it across a solid surface under its own weight; thus, a continuous flow of water can produce a constant supply of power. After optimizing the system, a power of up to ∼170 μW (per Teflon tube of 2 mm in diameter) can be generated. The efficiency, defined as the energy generated by the system over the gravitational energy that the water losses, can reach up to ∼3-4%. In order to generate a continuous stream of positively-charged water, there should also be

SUBMITTER: Sun Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5490415 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature