Fluorinated ethylene propylene thin film for water droplet energy harvesting. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Helseth, L.E.; Guo, X.D.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 99(2016)
• Page Start: 845
• Page End: 851
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Energy harvest -- Rain -- Smart window; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.07.077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: We investigate water droplet energy harvesting using transparent hydrophobic polymers. The hydrophobic polymer acts as protection while at the same time harvest energy from the impacting water droplets. The electrodes are mounted at the edges of a transparent window. Such a scheme has the advantage that it allows easy integration with existing technologies and avoids the extra costs and reduced transmittance upon incorporation of partially transparent oxide electrodes covering the entire polymer. Since the electrodes are mounted at the edges of the hydrophobic polymer, the transmittance through the transparent portion is very high, here shown to be >94% for visible light when using thin films of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). It is demonstrated that the system can be mounted on a commercial solar cell for harvesting electrical power from the impact of water droplets, generating an average power of up to 10 mW per square meter of electrode area. Highlights: Hydrophobic fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) film for energy harvesting. Contact electrification and charge induction upon drop impact. Fluoropolymer film act as protection and energy harvesting system. Mounted directly on commercial solar cell. Up to 10 mW per square meter electrode area is possible.