13/09/2024
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Researchers from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have developed a new device that generates electricity continuously from seawater.
This eco-friendly energy harvester uses the natural movement of sodium ions in seawater to produce power. It's made up of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide films, which act as the cathode and anode.
Seawater serves as the electrolyte, allowing the movement of ions to create a potential difference and generate electricity.
The device is 4.2 times more powerful than previous models, with a power density of 24.6 mW/cm³ compared to 5.9 mW/cm³. It can power small devices like calculators, watches, and sensors, and more energy can be generated by scaling up or linking multiple devices.
Unlike older harvesters, this one doesn’t need external energy for recharging, making it perfect for remote, ocean-based applications. These findings were published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.
