| Aug 14, 2024 |
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(Nanowerk News) Researchers from Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore – Mr. Sayyid Abdul Basith, Dr. Arunkumar Chandrasekhar, and Dr. George Jacob – have developed a self-powered weather station using recycled diaper waste in collaboration with Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Chennai and University of Glasgow, UK. Based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) technology, this weather monitoring system operates without needing batteries by harnessing wind energy.
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Their research, published in iScience (“Recycling of Diaper Wastes for a Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Based Weather Station”), provides a novel solution to energy harvesting and environmental monitoring. The TENG system leverages superabsorbent polymer (SAP) gels from discarded diapers and recycled baking sheets to generate energy from wind and power sensors for measuring wind speed, temperature, and humidity.
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| Self-powered weather station using a diaper waste-based triboelectric nanogenerator made from recycled diaper SAP gel and baking sheets to harvest wind energy and monitor wind speed, humidity, and temperature (Image: Reproduced from DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2024.110627; CC BY 4.0)
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The core of this energy-harvesting device lies in the interaction between dried SAP powders and recycled baking sheets. The system efficiently converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by utilizing the principles of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. When the TENG is shaken or subjected to wind, the SAP powders intermittently contact the surface of the baking sheets, initiating contact electrification and producing sinusoidal AC electric current through the external circuit between the electrodes.
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With rising global demand for renewable energy and efficient waste management solutions, this research marks a key advance in both areas. Diaper waste, typically a significant environmental hazard, is repurposed into a valuable energy resource through this innovative TENG-based system. The use of SAP gels and recycled baking sheets as triboelectric materials demonstrates the potential for upcycling non-biodegradable waste into energy-generating technologies.
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This self-powered weather station, which operates without external batteries, represents an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional devices. The project illustrates the feasibility of reusing waste for advanced applications and contributes to the fields of nanotechnology and sustainable energy.
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The researchers believe this innovation has great potential for real-world deployment in areas facing waste disposal challenges while also needing efficient energy solutions. By merging recycled materials with nanotechnology, this work showcases a scalable and impactful method to address environmental and energy-related issues.
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The technology has been filed for an Indian patent, highlighting its importance in waste-to-energy conversion and renewable technologies.
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