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Multistage coupling water-enabled electric generator with customizable energy output

Author

Listed:
  • Puying Li

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yajie Hu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Wenya He

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Bing Lu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Haiyan Wang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Huhu Cheng

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Liangti Qu

    (Tsinghua University)

Abstract

Constant water circulation between land, ocean and atmosphere contains great and sustainable energy, which has been successfully employed to generate electricity by the burgeoning water-enabled electric generator. However, water in various forms (e.g. liquid, moisture) is inevitably discharged after one-time use in current single-stage water-enabled electric generators, resulting in the huge waste of inherent energy within water circulation. Herein, a multistage coupling water-enabled electric generator is proposed, which utilizes the internal liquid flow and subsequently generated moisture to produce electricity synchronously, achieving a maximum output power density of ~92 mW m−2 (~11 W m−3). Furthermore, a distributary design for internal water in different forms enables the integration of water-flow-enabled and moisture-diffusion-enabled electricity generation layers into mc-WEG by a “flexible building blocks” strategy. Through a three-stage adjustment process encompassing size control, space optimization, and large-scale integration, the multistage coupling water-enabled electric generator realizes the customized electricity output for diverse electronics. Twenty-two units connected in series can deliver ~10 V and ~280 μA, which can directly lighten a table lamp for 30 min without aforehand capacitor charging. In addition, multistage coupling water-enabled electric generators exhibit excellent flexibility and environmental adaptability, providing a way for the development of water-enabled electric generators.

Suggested Citation

  • Puying Li & Yajie Hu & Wenya He & Bing Lu & Haiyan Wang & Huhu Cheng & Liangti Qu, 2023. "Multistage coupling water-enabled electric generator with customizable energy output," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-41371-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41371-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jin Tan & Sunmiao Fang & Zhuhua Zhang & Jun Yin & Luxian Li & Xiang Wang & Wanlin Guo, 2022. "Self-sustained electricity generator driven by the compatible integration of ambient moisture adsorption and evaporation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Haiyan Wang & Tiancheng He & Xuanzhang Hao & Yaxin Huang & Houze Yao & Feng Liu & Huhu Cheng & Liangti Qu, 2022. "Moisture adsorption-desorption full cycle power generation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
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    5. Ce Yang & Haiyan Wang & Jiaxin Bai & Tiancheng He & Huhu Cheng & Tianlei Guang & Houze Yao & Liangti Qu, 2022. "Transfer learning enhanced water-enabled electricity generation in highly oriented graphene oxide nanochannels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
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