This paper reports a new type of nanofluid, which is prepared by dispersing a hybrid nanomaterial single walled carbon nanotube-copper sulfide nanoparticles (SWNT-CuS NPs) into poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) solution, and its application for electricity generation. Its optical and thermal properties have been characterized, exhibiting significant improvement in optical extinction and temperature increase over water. In addition, a fluidic micropower generator is designed, fabricated and tested with the nanofluids of different concentrations. Measurements found that open circuit voltage by the fluidic micropower generator can be up to 1.6 mV with 900 mL nanofluid. Operation of a thermistor by the fluidic micropower generator has been demonstrated. Since hundreds and thousands of the micropower generators could be fabricated on a single chip by Si-based MEMS technology, the output power could be improved to the range of microwatts or milliwatts.

Nanofluid, a type of fluid with dispersed nanoparticles, has been studied and used as a direct absorber of solar or thermal energy for the past years. Herein, a fluidic energy generator enabled by a new type of nanofluid is developed, which has also been used to power a thermistor successfully. This type of nanofluid contains single-walled carbon nanotube-CuS nanoparticles (SWNT-CuS NPs) hybrid nanomaterial. Experiments found it has a significantly enhanced capability for the absorption and storage of the solar thermal energy compared to water. The fluidic energy generator enabled by 50 µL nanofluid can generate output voltage up to 100 µV, and thus can operate small electronic devices or sensors by directly converting the solar thermal energy into electricity.