Civil engineer Siowling Soh of the National University of Singapore and her colleagues have developed a radical new method. This transformative new technique harvests energy produced by rain. This creative approach takes advantage of the natural process of charge separation to turn the kinetic energy of raindrops into electricity you can use. An ambitious study published April 16 in ACS Central Science describes an elegant new approach. This exciting technology has the potential to transform energy generation across the Tropical Belt, where the waters run fast and deep.
The researchers designed with anti-mechanicalism in mind. Instead, they’re betting on the much smaller but persistent energy generating bursts produced with the impact of falling raindrops onto a thin tube. Soh and her team’s new approach has produced a mechanism that significantly increases the amount of energy captured from rain. They did this by employing tubes that are just two millimeters in diameter, about the width of a grain of rice.
Charge Separation and Energy Generation
Charge separation, the same principle that powers lightning, is the magic behind this new method. When raindrops strike the purpose-built tubes, they create a temporary separation of charge forming a spatial division between negatively and positively charged particles. This division gives rise to a voltage. That is a wonderfully efficient process, especially since the developed continuous flow method uses plug flows instead of continuous flows.
As Soh explains, “We believe it will be effective for places where it is very rainy, or tropical countries like Singapore.” This method leads to the generation of around 100,000 times more energy than using traditional continuous flows of water.
Experimental Results
To test the tube rolling, the researchers ran a proof of concept rolling experiment with four tubes that were 32 centimeters long. With only 20 seconds of exposure, the plug flow developed by shower water-esque droplets produced enough electricity. That energy was enough to keep 12 LED lightbulbs lit the entire time! It’s this latter result that underscores the technique’s promise. Moreover, in areas where rain is plentiful, it can create a renewable energy source.
Historical investigations have demonstrated that flowing aqueous solutions with varying degrees of conductivity induces charge separation. The unique thing about Soh’s approach is that instead of a continuous stream, she uses discrete, free-falling drops. Her team’s findings are the latest breakthrough in using renewable energy from our environment’s natural resources.
Future Implications
This study has broader and deeper implications beyond the scope of Singapore. It has the power to transform electricity generation for scores of tropical nations that experience abundant precipitation. Soh is passionate about the untapped potential of rain as an energy source, and it’s a powerful message. He boldface types, “There is tremendous power in rain.” The international community is desperately looking for sustainable ways to fulfill its ever-growing energy requirements. This innovative technique could play a huge role in us moving off of fossil fuels.
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