- Scientists have developed a “tiny wind turbine” that can scavenge energy from the breeze made while walking.
- Imagine rubbing a balloon on hair for a few seconds – we hear the crackle of static electricity, see hair stand on end?
- That energy, powered by the contact and separation of two materials, can be bottled up and stored for use, according to researchers working on the device.
- Scientists in China hope the device can generate sustainable power in a low-cost, efficient manner.
- Once placed on a person’s swinging arm, the airflow is enough to generate power.
- The device comprises two plastic strips in a tube that flutter or clap together in the presence of airflow.
- A gentle breeze of 1.6 metres a second is enough to power the device, but it performs best at a speed that ensures the two plastic strips flutter in sync, when wind velocity is between 4 and 8 m/s.
- Deployed in a variety of ways such as powering remote sensors, security cameras or even a weather station on top of a hill.
- So far, the device has been able to power up 100 LED lights and temperature sensors.
- It also has a wind-to-energy conversion efficiency of 3.23%, which they claim exceeds previously-reported performances on wind energy scavenging.
