Researchers from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) have developed a groundbreaking energy harvester capable of generating electricity from seawater. The institute announced the breakthrough on September 11, with the technology offering a new path toward sustainable energy production.
Harnessing Ocean Energy for Power
Unlike traditional energy harvesters that capture energy from sources like vibrations, this device uses the ocean’s abundant seawater as an energy source. The research, led by Hyun Seung-min and So Hye-mi from KIMM, in collaboration with Jeong Soo-hwan of Kyungpook National University, utilizes carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide film as electrodes, with seawater acting as the electrolyte.
The device generates power through the redistribution of ions between the two electrodes. Positively charged ions are drawn to the negative electrode, creating an electrical potential difference.
Breakthrough in Sustainable Energy Technology
What makes this technology unique is its self-regenerating ability, meaning it can recover its voltage without external energy input, enabling continuous energy harvesting. The device’s power density is 4.2 times higher than conventional ion hydrogel-based water energy harvesters, making it efficient enough to power small devices like calculators and watches.
“This eco-friendly technique, capable of continuous self-charging, could be applied to monitoring devices that measure sea temperature and chemical oxygen demand,” said Hyun, the project’s lead researcher.
This new development could revolutionize sustainable energy solutions, particularly in marine environments, by utilizing seawater as a clean and renewable energy source.
Source: koreabizwire.com
