Can snow generate electricity? This group of scientists with big brain holes performed a magic trick of "making something out of nothing"
2021-09-25
Scientists have devised creative ways to capture almost all the most basic energy in nature; From water and wind to solar energy, now, for the first time in history, they think of snow.
According to researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), this device is called SNoW-based triboelectric nano generator (snow Teng). It uses a basic chemical reaction to generate static electricity, which can be used to generate electricity.
Richard Kaner, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the California nanosystems Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), said that static electricity is produced by the interaction between a substance that captures electrons and another substance that releases electrons.
In this case, the positively charged snow falls on the negatively charged silica gel pad, the researchers said. The reaction between two opposite charges produces static electricity.
"Snow is already charged, so we thought, why not take another material with opposite charge to extract charge to generate electricity?" said co-author Maher El Kady.
Scientists say their technology is applied in many ways.
First, the device can be integrated into solar panels to help improve efficiency in areas where it often snows. Solar panels are often buried in snow and cannot absorb sunlight.
Due to the durability of this material, it can be easily applied to the bottom of boots or skis, where it can transfer energy to another device.
In addition, it can also be used as what scientists call a "Micro Weather Station" to monitor snow, snow, wind and other data.
This technology is not only convenient, but also the researchers say it is very simple to make.
This kind of generator (snow Teng) was printed by scientists in 3D. It has only a piece of silicone - a rich and cheap material - and then attached to an electrode that captures current.
According to researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), this device is called SNoW-based triboelectric nano generator (snow Teng). It uses a basic chemical reaction to generate static electricity, which can be used to generate electricity.
Richard Kaner, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the California nanosystems Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), said that static electricity is produced by the interaction between a substance that captures electrons and another substance that releases electrons.
In this case, the positively charged snow falls on the negatively charged silica gel pad, the researchers said. The reaction between two opposite charges produces static electricity.
"Snow is already charged, so we thought, why not take another material with opposite charge to extract charge to generate electricity?" said co-author Maher El Kady.
Scientists say their technology is applied in many ways.
First, the device can be integrated into solar panels to help improve efficiency in areas where it often snows. Solar panels are often buried in snow and cannot absorb sunlight.
Due to the durability of this material, it can be easily applied to the bottom of boots or skis, where it can transfer energy to another device.
In addition, it can also be used as what scientists call a "Micro Weather Station" to monitor snow, snow, wind and other data.
This technology is not only convenient, but also the researchers say it is very simple to make.
This kind of generator (snow Teng) was printed by scientists in 3D. It has only a piece of silicone - a rich and cheap material - and then attached to an electrode that captures current.
来源：前瞻网