Rational design of oriented glass fibers within nano-porous SiO2 films to improve evaporation-induced hydroelectric generation

Harvesting energy from the ubiquitous water evaporation process on earth has recently proved to be an effective solution for obtaining renewable energy. However, the electricity generated in this process is still difficult to meet practical use, and the energy conversion mechanism is controversial. Here, an enhanced output was generated by the rational design of oriented glass fibers within nano-porous SiO2 film. The ordered glass fibers could effectively improve the power generation performance by promoting the movement of water flow and carriers, achieving an induced open-circuit voltage of 1.4 V and an induced short-circuit current of 400 nA, and providing a performance improvement strategy for such evaporation-induced generators. And it is revealed that the generated voltage driven by evaporation is related to the humidity difference and water flow. The availability of raw materials and the simplicity of the fabrication process also enable the generators easy to scale up.

Automated summary

Enhanced output was achieved by designing oriented glass fibers within nano-porous SiO2 film, enabling effective harvesting of renewable energy through the water evaporation process. The ordered glass fibers improved power generation performance by promoting water flow and carrier movement, resulting in an induced open-circuit voltage of 1.4 V and an induced short-circuit current of 400 nA. This provides a performance improvement strategy for evaporation-induced generators. The generated voltage driven by evaporation was found to be related to humidity difference and water flow. The availability of raw materials and the simplicity of the fabrication process also enable easy scalability of the generators.