All-Biobased Hydrovoltaic-Photovoltaic Electricity Generators for All-Weather Energy Harvesting

Abstract

Hygroelectricity generators (HEGs) utilize the latent heat stored in environmental moisture for electricity generation, but nevertheless are showing relatively low power densities due to their weak energy harvesting capacities. Inspired by epiphytes that absorb ambient moisture and concurrently capture sunlight for dynamic photosynthesis, we propose herein a scenario of all-biobased hydrovoltaic-photovoltaic electricity generators (HPEGs) that integrate photosystem II (PSII) with Geobacter sulfurreducens (G.s) for simultaneous energy harvesting from both moisture and sunlight. This proof of concept illustrates that the all-biobased HPEG generates steady hygroelectricity induced by moisture absorption and meanwhile creates a photovoltaic electric field which further strengthens electricity generation under sunlight. Under environmental conditions, the synergic hydrovoltaic-photovoltaic effect in HPEGs has resulted in a continuous output power with a high density of 1.24 W/m2, surpassing all HEGs reported hitherto. This work thus provides a feasible strategy for boosting electricity generation via simultaneous energy harvesting from ambient moisture and sunlight.

Gradience Free Nanoinsertion of Fe3O4 into Wood for Enhanced Hydrovoltaic Energy Harvesting

“…Thus, maximum power can be drawn from a device for practical applications, and to know the maximum power density we have used an external resistor in our work. In this way, power density is calculated using the formula = V * I = I 2 R = V 2 / R and divided by area …”

“…In this way, power density is calculated using the formula = V*I = I 2 R = V 2 /R and divided by area. 29 Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy. The wood morphologies were observed by a field-emission scanning electron microscope (Hitachi S-4800, Japan) after sputtering a 10 nm Pt/Pd conductive layer with a sputter-coater (Cressington 208HR, UK).…”

Harvesting Energy from Atmospheric Water: Grand Challenges in Continuous Electricity Generation

“…Besides, inspired by the ability of epiphyte leaves to adsorb water and capture solar power simultaneously, an all-biobased hydrovoltaic-photovoltaic electricity generator consisting of G. sulfurreducens and photosystem II particles extracted from the leaves of spinach is also capable of concurrently converting moist power and solar energy into electric power and to reach a much higher power density of 1.24 W m −2 than traditional moist induced electricity generators. [112] Inspired by the enhanced ion migration concurrently triggered by water adsorption and thermal gradient, a vapor and heat dual-drive electric generator (Figure 9e) consisting of a ternary hybrid film of PSSA-PEDOT: PSS-FeCN 4−/3− and two graphite electrodes has been reported recently, which achieves higher performance (0.9 V, 0.8 mA cm −2 ) than single-source generators (Figure 9f,g). [71] Under vapor accompanied by the temperature difference, PSSA is responsible for enhancing H + migration through concurrently adsorbing vaporous water molecules and inducing thermodiffusion.…”

“…Besides, inspired by the ability of epiphyte leaves to adsorb water and capture solar power simultaneously, an all‐biobased hydrovoltaic‐photovoltaic electricity generator consisting of G. sulfurreducens and photosystem II particles extracted from the leaves of spinach is also capable of concurrently converting moist power and solar energy into electric power and to reach a much higher power density of 1.24 W m −2 than traditional moist induced electricity generators. [ 112 ]…”

A droplet friction/solar-thermal hybrid power generation device for energy harvesting in both rainy and sunny weathers

“…In order to expand the scale of renewable energy generation, the design of hybrid power generation systems for multi-source energy harvesting (i.e. thermal, hydrodynamic and mechanical energy) has attracted more and more attention [7][8][9].…”