Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have managed to generate almost effortless electricity from almost nothing, just by capturing micro-spikes in ambient air. The expression “electricity in the air” is becoming real.
“Electricity in the air” has so far been a simple expression. But tomorrow, it could become a new free source of energy, we managed to generate electricity with the air we breathe.
This is a feat of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. They managed to generate electricity effortlessly, from almost nothing, just by capturing microspikes of humidity in the ambient air.
How? ‘Or’ What ? They use a veil woven with special microscopic threads which will naturally conduct electricity as soon as they come into contact with water molecules. So it’s extremely simple. No large wind turbine or solar panel. We hang a flag, two wires, and we get electricity.
Does it only work with very humid air?
No, not even. As the wires are microscopic, there is a need for very little moisture. To tell you, it works even in the middle of the desert. This is the big advantage of this energy: it is available day and night, whatever the weather, since there will always be a little bit of water vapor in the atmosphere.
But there is still a defect. At the moment, the technology generates relatively little electricity. It takes a wall-sized veil to charge a cell phone or light a lamp. So camping or hiking, it could be fine. But if you want to supply an entire house, you will need a much more massive installation.
The researchers, however, promised to improve yields. We will check with the first test installations early next year.
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