CATCHER

In a world where sustainable energy solutions are more crucial than ever, the CATCHER project’s latest study presents a groundbreaking development in the realm of green electricity. This innovative research focuses on creating oxide materials and devices capable of generating electricity directly from ambient humidity. Such a technology heralds a new era for auxiliary power sources, ideal for self-sustaining buildings, portable electronics, and decentralized energy systems, especially in remote locations where traditional power infrastructure is not viable.

“Humidity to electricity” technology

At the core of this research lies a deceptively simple device, akin to a tablet, crafted from specially developed powders. It features a functional layer that, remarkably, produces an electrical potential directly from the moisture it contains, independent of external humidity fluctuations. This paradigm shift moves away from relying on a humidity gradient to utilizing a concentration gradient, where protons and hydroxide groups form through a reversible reaction with water molecules.

The inclusion of graphite material within the device creates conductive pathways in the porous oxide structure, significantly reducing the converter’s internal resistance. The output voltage of the device is influenced by a variety of factors: the type of material used, the converter’s porous architecture, the amount of graphite incorporated, and the volume of functional polymeric alumophosphate material.

The converter operates through several mechanisms: the adsorption and dissociation of water molecules, the generation of streaming potential as these molecules and ions traverse the converter’s porous structure driven by internal gradients, and the separation of charges. A novel approach in this study was the creation of a multi-layered converter structure with varying amounts of activated carbon and graphite. This design enhances the reaction zone volume beyond the electrode surface, facilitating increased ion-electron interaction through conductive graphite bridges, significantly boosting the output voltage and power.

By optimizing the mix of activated carbon and graphite, researchers achieved a power increase to 18 μW, with the internal resistance plummeting to 3 kOhm at a 90% humidity level. These advancements highlight the immense potential of tapping into the vast, yet untapped, energy reservoir of atmospheric water vapor to produce sustainable, “green” electricity.

The CATCHER project’s study is not just a testament to human ingenuity but also a beacon of hope for a future where energy is harvested in harmony with nature, paving the way for innovations that could transform how we power our world.

Links

https://catcherproject.eu/

Keywords

Renewable energy, humidity, electricity, energy conversion, converter adsorption capacity, converter prototype