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Bio-compatible nano-generators for Electricity

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    28th Jun, 2021

Scientists have fabricated a simple, cost-effective, bio-compatible, transparent nanogenerator (TENG). It can generate electricity from vibrations all around for use in optoelectronics, self-powered devices, and other biomedical applications.

Context

Scientists have fabricated a simple, cost-effective, bio-compatible, transparent nanogenerator (TENG). It can generate electricity from vibrations all around for use in optoelectronics, self-powered devices, and other biomedical applications.

  • The project was funded through the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

About the newly developed nano-generator

  • The triboelectricnanogenerators (TENG) make use of mechanical energy in the form of vibrations present everywhere in different forms to generate electricity.
  • The material used: It is formed using thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) either in the form of electrospunnanofibers or as a flat film.
  • TPU nanofibers are obtained from the electrospinning (ES) technique. 

Electrospinning (ES) technique

  • Electrospinning is a manufacturing technique involving an electrostatic driven process used to create electrospun fibers.
  • It uses electric force to draw charged threads of polymer solutions or polymer. 
  • The diameter of these fibers typically ranges between tens of nanometers to a few micrometers.
  • The technique involved: The simpler Doctor’s blade technique, along with Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as tribo layers is used.
  • Working:The energy harvesting TENG works on the principle of creation of electrostatic charges via instantaneous physical contact of two dissimilar materials followed by generation of potential difference when a mismatch is introduced between the two contacted surfaces through a mechanical force.
    • This mechanism drives the electrons to move back and forth between the conducting films coated on the back of the tribo layers.
  • Advantages:The easy availability of the active material and the simplicity of the fabrication process make it cost-effective over currently available fabrication techniques.
    • The resulting device is also highly efficient, robust, and gives reproducible output over long hours of operation.
    • It is a good renewable energy resource that would help in the reduction of carbon
  • Other Methods to make TENG: The method employed till date to design TENG use expensive fabrication methods like photolithography or reactive ion etching, and additional process like electrode preparation and so on.
  • Some Unconventional methods to generate electricity: piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and electrostatic techniques used in devices like touch screens, electronic displays, and so forth.

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