New Device Harvests Movement to Generate Energy


Imagine leaving your cell phone charger at home knowing that every step you take all day long will continue to charge it. Researchers from the School of Engineering and Materials Science at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have already created a piezo device that aims to bring this kind of energy generation to daily life by harvesting simple vibrations.

According to a report published on The Engineer, the device relies on nanotechnology. Researchers sprayed ZnO nanoparticles onto a plastic surface, and then placed it into a solution containing hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and heated to 90 degrees Celsius. Hexagonal nanorods then grow from that layer of ZnO particles to cover the whole surface.

Future research looks to move the small device to larger-scale applications that will reduce the load of a battery or eliminate the battery all together.

In the accompanying video, you can hear from researchers Dr. Steve Dunn and Dr. Joe Briscoe on the science behind their work and learn more about the device.

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