Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a portable device capable of producing electricity from moisture in the air . This innovative device, made entirely of paper and designed to be flexible and disposable, represents a major advance in environmental energy harvesting.
A sustainable alternative to traditional batteries
For years, the challenge of powering wearable devices has been complex. Although conventional batteries are the most popular option, they are often rigid and have a limited lifespan. Researchers Seokheun “Sean” Choi, Anwar Elhadad, and Yang Gao have been working on a solution that extracts energy from water present in the air , providing a constant and efficient source of electricity for applications in medical technology and low-power sensors.
How does this portable device work?
The device uses bacterial spores that, by absorbing moisture, generate a gradient of positive and negative ions. This gradient translates into an electrical charge , sufficient to power small devices. In addition, the special paper used in the device facilitates the capture of water and maximizes the efficiency of energy production.
This moisture-powered power generator is part of Binghamton’s “papertronics” initiative, which seeks to create paper devices that can be disposed of without causing environmental impact. Professor Choi sees this technology as ideal for short-lived devices, such as sensors and medical tools that require a temporary power source.
In the future, the team plans to improve the output power and incorporate new energy harvesting techniques to increase its performance. Details of this innovative device are published in the journal Small .
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Source and photo: Binghamton University
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