This New Energy Harvester Generated Endless Electricity From Seawater

From seawater, researchers at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have created a novel energy harvester that can continually produce power. This novel technology provides a sustainable energy source without the need for external power by utilizing the natural flow of sodium ions in seawater.

Graphene oxide sheets and multiwalled carbon nanotubes, which function as the anode and cathode, are used in the construction of the harvester. The high conductivity of carbon nanotubes is well-known, and graphene oxide sheets, which are enhanced with functional groups containing oxygen, facilitate ion transport. The electrolyte in seawater facilitates the movement of ions that produce electrical energy.

A potential difference between the cathode and anode is formed as the sodium ions pass through the seawater, generating electricity. The concentration of cations close to the anode increases the efficiency of this process and results in a notable boost in power production. With a power density of 24.6 mW/cm³, the gadget outperforms conventional ionic hydrogel-based energy harvesters by a factor of four.

Principal Researcher at KIMM Seungmin Hyun emphasized the environmentally favorable aspect of this technique, which enables continuous self-charging without requiring outside energy. Because of this, it’s perfect for usage in isolated or maritime applications, such powering sensors that keep an eye on things like temperature and dissolved oxygen levels.

This novel harvester is significantly more efficient and useful than existing water-based energy harvesters, which depend on outside energy sources to move the water. It is a promising solution for powering small devices like watches, calculators, and sensors because it can be connected to other devices or scaled up to create additional electricity. This discovery may lead to further developments in water-based, sustainable energy systems.