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Circadian humidity fluctuation induced capillary flow for sustainable mobile energy

Author

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  • Jiayue Tang

    (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Yuanyuan Zhao

    (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Mi Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Dianyu Wang

    (Beihang University)

  • Xuan Yang

    (Beihang University)

  • Ruiran Hao

    (Yellow River Conservancy Technical Institute)

  • Mingzhan Wang

    (University of Chicago)

  • Yanlei Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hongyan He

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • John H. Xin

    (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Shuang Zheng

    (City University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Circadian humidity fluctuation is an important factor that affects human life all over the world. Here we show that spherical cap-shaped ionic liquid drops sitting on nanowire array are able to continuously output electricity when exposed to outdoor air, which we attribute to the daily humidity fluctuation induced directional capillary flow. Specifically, ionic liquid drops could absorb/desorb water around the liquid/vapor interface and swell/shrink depending on air humidity fluctuation. While pinning of the drop by nanowire array suppresses advancing/receding of triple-phase contact line. To maintain the surface tension-regulated spherical cap profile, inward/outward flow arises for removing excess fluid from the edge or filling the perimeter with fluid from center. This moisture absorption/desorption-caused capillary flow is confirmed by in-situ microscope imaging. We conduct further research to reveal how environmental humidity affects flow rate and power generation performance. To further illustrate feasibility of our strategy, we combine the generators to light up a red diode and LCD screen. All these results present the great potential of tiny humidity fluctuation as an easily accessible anytime-and-anywhere small-scale green energy resource.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiayue Tang & Yuanyuan Zhao & Mi Wang & Dianyu Wang & Xuan Yang & Ruiran Hao & Mingzhan Wang & Yanlei Wang & Hongyan He & John H. Xin & Shuang Zheng, 2022. "Circadian humidity fluctuation induced capillary flow for sustainable mobile energy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28998-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28998-y
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