Harvesting electrostatic energy using superhydrophobic surfaces
Year: 2016
Authors: Pociecha, D; Zylka, P
Almost all environments are now being extensively populated by miniaturized, nano-powered electronic sensor devices communicated together through wireless sensor networks building Internet of Things (IoT). Various energy harvesting techniques are being more and more frequently proposed for battery-less powering of such remote, unattended, implantable or wearable sensors or other low-power electronic gadgets. Energy harvesting relays on extracting energy from the ambient sources readily accessible at the sensor location and converting it into electrical power. The paper exploits possibility of generating electric energy safely accessible for nano-power electronics using triboelectric and electrostatic induction phenomena displayed at superhydrophobic surfaces impinged by water droplets. Mechanism of such interaction is discussed and illustrated by experimental results.
