Electrokinetic power generation by means of streaming potentials: a mobile-ion-drain method to increase the streaming potentials.
We show, by natural occurring phenomena of charge separation near the solid-liquid interface in microchannels, that electricity can be generated by forcing water through a ceramic rod with no moving part and emission. A single hand push on a syringe is our source of power which easily generates a streaming potential of over 20 V and a streaming current of 30 microA. By means of streaming potentials, two capacitors were charged and discharged alternatively to light-up two Light-Emitting-Diodes in every ten seconds. From our specific choice of liquid/solid pair, an efficiency of 0.8% was obtained. A mobile-ion-drain method is also demonstrated to increase the streaming potential.
Yang
Jun
J
Nanoscale Technology and Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G8, Canada.
Lu
Fuzhi
F
Kostiuk
Larry W
LW
Kwok
Daniel Y
DY
D004553:Electric Conductivity; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004560:Electricity; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004581:Electronics; D007477:Ions; D007700:Kinetics; D015233:Models, Statistical; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
D007477:Ions; D014867:Water