It has been noted that smaller fibers exhibit more flexibility than larger
crystals. Therefore smaller fibers can generate electric charges without
difficulty. The project team has extracted an impressive 18 percent efficiency
with the nanocrystals, higher than most experimental energy sources. Xu shares
his views, “because we can tune the fiber and plate sizes, we can use even small
amounts of [mechanical] noise — like a vibration or water flowing — to bend the
fibers and plates. With this kind of technology, we can scavenge energy waste
and convert it into useful chemical energy.” What a fantastic idea.
But scientists didn’t utilize this electrical energy straightaway. They use this
energy in breaking the chemical bonds in water to split oxygen and hydrogen. Xu
explains, “This is a new phenomenon, converting mechanical energy directly to
chemical energy.” Xu calls it a piezoelectrochemical (PZEC) effect. Why it seems
that scientists are beating around the bush? Because chemical energy of hydrogen
fuel is more stable than the electric charge. Storage of hydrogen fuel is easy
and would not lose potency over time.
With the right technology, Xu foresees this method to be utilized where small
amount of power is needed. Now we can imagine charging a cell phone while taking
our morning walk or we can enjoy cool breeze that can power street lights. Xu
says, “We have limited areas to collect large energy differences, like a
waterfall or a big dam. But we have lots of places with small energies. If we
can harvest that energy, it would be tremendous.”
Samoa, Apia
Erie, Pennsylvania
Gilbert Arizona USA
Rochester, New York
Round Rock, Texas
Antigua and Barbuda
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Whyalla, South Australia
Manchester, New Hampshire
Comoros, Moroni (on Grande Comoro)