A group of researchers from Singapore presented a revolutionary technology that allows you to generate electricity from rainy drops. Their discovery, published in the ACS Central Science , can be a breakthrough in the field of alternative energy, especially for urban spaces.
The key to the invention is the so -called "cork flow" that occurs when water falls through a narrow vertical tube. Researchers have found that when rain drops fall through a 32 cm polymer tube of 2 mm wide, they form short columns of water, between which air pockets are formed. Such a flow, combined with the electrical properties of water and materials, allows to generate current.
The installation is very simple: the water flows from the metal needle, forming drops that fall into the tube. The charged water flows down, separating electric charges that capture the wires located at the top of the tube and in the reservoir cup below.
In the course of further experiments, the team found that parallel or consistent use of two tubes double the volume of electricity obtained. By directing the flow into four tubes at a time, they reached a continuous power of 12 LEDs for 20 seconds.
According to one of the authors of the study, Sioling Soh, this technology can be a promising alternative to hydroelectric power plants. It does not require large reservoirs or rivers and is compact, so it is suitable for installation on the roofs of buildings in cities.
This technology can potentially be integrated into a "smart home" system, providing power to sensors, lighting and small devices. It also opens prospects for autonomous power supply in limited resources or in emergency situations.
Earlier, Chinese scientists have presented a different similar development-a tribolectric nanogenerator that uses a fluid-solid body contact to collect rain. However, the Singapore installation looks simpler, more reliable and more adapted to everyday use.
