A Soft Magnetoelastic Generator for Wind‐Energy Harvesting. Issue 38 (21st August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Xun; Nashalian, Ardo; Ock, Il Woo; Popoli, Steven; Xu, Jing; Yin, Junyi; Tat, Trinny; Libanori, Alberto; Chen, Guorui; Zhou, Yihao; Chen, Jun
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 34:Issue 38(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-08-21
• Subjects: giant magnetoelasticity -- magnetoelastic generators -- sustainability -- water splitting -- wind‐energy harvesting; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204238
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: The current energy crises and imminent danger of global warming severely limit the ability to scale societal development sustainably. As such, there is a pressing need for utilizing renewable, green energy sources, such as wind energy, which is ubiquitously available on Earth. In this work, a fundamentally new wind‐energy‐harvesting technology is reported, which is based on the giant magnetoelastic effect in a soft composite system, namely, magnetoelastic generators. Its working principle is based on wind‐induced mechanical deformation, which alters the magnetic field in a soft system converting the wind energy into electricity via electromagnetic induction from arbitrary directions. The wind‐energy‐harvesting system features a low internal impedance of 68 Ω, a high current density of 1.17 mA cm –2, and a power density of 0.82 mW cm –2 under ambient natural wind. The system is capable of sustainably driving small electronics and electrolytically splitting water. The system can generate hydrogen at a rate of 7.5 × 10 –2 mL h –1 with a wind speed of 20 m s −1 . Additionally, since magnetic fields can penetrate water molecules, the magnetoelastic generators are intrinsically waterproof and work stably in harsh environments. This work paves a new way for wind‐energy harvesting with compelling features, which can contribute largely to the hydrogen economy and the sustainability of human civilization. Abstract : A fundamentally new wind‐energy‐harvesting technology based on the giant magnetoelastic effect in a soft composite system is reported. Wind‐induced mechanical deformation alters the magnetic field in the soft system, which is able to convert the wind energy into electricity via electromagnetic induction from arbitrary directions. It features a high current density of 1.17 mA cm –2 and intrinsic waterproofness.