Control of electro-chemical processes using energy harvesting materials and devices

Abstract

Energy harvesting is a topic of intense interest that aims to convert ambient forms of energy such as mechanical motion, light and heat, which are otherwise wasted, into useful energy. In many cases the energy harvester or nanogenerator converts motion, heat or light into electrical energy, which is subsequently rectified and stored within capacitors for applications such as wireless and self-powered sensors or low-power electronics. This review covers the new and emerging area that aims to directly couple energy harvesting materials and devices with electro-chemical systems. The harvesting approaches to be covered include pyroelectric, piezoelectric, triboelectric, flexoelectric, thermoelectric and photovoltaic effects. These are used to influence a variety of electro-chemical systems such as applications related to water splitting, catalysis, corrosion protection, degradation of pollutants, disinfection of bacteria and material synthesis. Comparisons are made between the range harvesting approaches and the modes of operation are described. Future directions for the development of electro-chemical harvesting systems are highlighted and the potential for new applications and hybrid approaches are discussed.

Functionalized Cellulose for Water Purification, Antimicrobial Applications, and Sensors

“…For an optimal thermoelectric power conversion, a high Seebeck coefficient is required, as well as a high electrical conductivity and a low thermal conductivity of the material . These properties are also crucial for combinations of different renewable energy sources, which will become more important for the future of energy and environmental science, as it has been recently pointed out . To enable such hybrid devices, the combination of active thermoelectric materials and inactive supporting material has to be optimized.…”

“…Similarly, other technologies which harness mechanical stress or friction (i.e., triboelectricity, piezoelectricity) can be also employed directly for sensing, or as power supplies for low power sensors, benefitting again from the excellent properties of functionalized cellulose. For example, a combination of nitrated and methylated cellulose nanofibrils has been used for highly efficient triboelectric nanogenerators.…”

Смартфон Як Інструмент Аналізу Сучасних Трендів Збирання Та Перетворення Енергії Руху Людини

“…Привабливим у запропонованому рішенні [16] є те, що один і той же перетворювач, який використається для збору енергії, також виконує діагностичну функцію -визначає механічну деформацію, що зумовлює його багатофункціональну концепцію. В усіх випадках гібридні підходи комплексують різні механізми генерації електричного заряду, наприклад, такі як збір сонячної енергії та фотогенеруючі носії [17]. Бажаною поведінкою адаптивних гібридних пристроїв, призначених для роботи в середовищах зі змінною амплітудою енергетичних джерел, буде розумне регулювання потоків потужності, що подаються в накопичувач, використаються, або розсіюється.…”

Ice-templated poly(vinylidene fluoride) ferroelectrets

“…The direct piezoelectric effect can be used to sense dynamic pressure, acceleration, or change in force and there is also potential for scavenging energy from motion in the surrounding environment [1]. Ferroelectric materials are a sub-class of piezoelectric materials and exhibit piezoelectric properties as a result of a remnant 2 polarisation due to the presence of aligned domains, which have been of interest in sensor and energy harvesting applications [2]. In order to evaluate the performance of such materials, relevant figures of merit such as 2 / 33 for piezoelectric energy harvesting, while the piezoelectric voltage coefficient, such as g33=d33/ 33 for sensor applications have been widely used, where dij is the piezoelectric charge coefficient, and 33 is the permittivity of the material at constant stress.…”