Typically, energy is generated from water by moving large volumes to rotate turbines. However, researchers from the National University of Singapore have utilized the property of charge separation to generate electricity from water flowing over a conductive surface. Xiuling Soh, the author of the study published in ‘ACS Central Science,’ states, ‘Water falling through a vertical tube generates a significant amount of electricity using a plug flow pattern, allowing the conversion of rain energy into clean and renewable electricity.’
The scientific team developed a prototype, which is a tower featuring a metal needle to release rain-like droplets. Below it is a 32-centimeter long and 2-millimeter diameter conductive polymer tube. Upon droplet impact, air bubbles are trapped, creating a plug flow that aids in separating electrical charges and collecting energy via electrodes at both ends of the tube.
The system resulted in converting about 10% of the water’s energy into electricity. The productivity doubled when using two tubes, enough to power 12 LED lights for 20 seconds.
