Scientists Convert Walking On Wood Floor Into Electricity To Power Lightbulbs
Electricity can be harnessed through different forms of energy. From solar light to tidal movement, electricity can be sourced from a varied pool of natural sources. Recently, scientists went a step further (literally) and developed technology that turns your footsteps into electricity.Wooden flooring may be the next big energy source, if scientists from Switzerland behind the energy-harvesting device are to be trusted.?
Walking on wood to create electricity
With silicone coating and embedded nanocrystals, Swiss scientists were able to produce enough electricity to power small electronic items and LED lightbulbs.?
The nanogenerator was created by placing two pieces of wood between electrodes. When one steps on the wood, a phenomenon called the "triboelectric effect" occurs, wherein the pieces of wood become electrically charged.In this process, electrons jump from one object to another, producing electricity in the process.
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If you live in places with harsh winters, the spark you feel while rubbing your arm against your comforter is caused by the same phenomenon.?
Guido Panzarasa, the senior author of the study from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology D¨¹bendorf told The Guardian that "wood is a terrible triboelectric material", while adding that wood is an excellent building material.?
Wood producing electricity
To equip the wood with electricity creation capabilities, scientists coated one piece with silicone which gains electrons upon contact. The other piece was adorned with nanocrystals which possess the ability to lose electrons. In this gain-and-loss process, electricity was generated.?
They also found the best wood to generate electricity - radially cut spruce - which is used for construction in European countries. It was able to produce 80 times more electricity than normal wood.?
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With the prototype, scientists managed to light up a lightbulb when a human adult walked over the wood.?
The final object is roughly the size of an A4 sheet of paper.Would you be interested in harvesting electricity in your home using this simple and fast process? Mind you, this will only power low requirement electronics. But with further research, human walkers could power entire cities.?
Let us know what you think about this novel idea of converting energy from wood into electricity. For similar stories in the world of tech and science, make Indiatimes.com your source of information and keep reading!
