Harnessing the electrical power that is generated
naturally when water vapor collects on microscopic particles of dust and
other material in the air could provide an alternative to solar power
and reduce the incidence of lightning strikes, say scientists at the
240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.
"Our research could pave the way for turning electricity
from the atmosphere into an alternative energy source for the future,"
said study leader Fernando Galembeck, from the University of Campinas in
Brazil. His research may help explain a 200-year-old scientific riddle
about how electricity is produced and discharged in the atmosphere.
"Just as solar energy could free some households from paying electric
bills, this promising new energy source could have a similar effect," he
explained. "If we know how electricity builds up and spreads in the
atmosphere, we can also prevent death and damage caused by lightning
strikes."
Electrical impresario Nikola Tesla was among those who
dreamed of capturing electricity from the air. This is the electricity
formed when water vapor collects on microscopic particles of dust and
other material in the air. But until now, scientists lacked adequate
knowledge about the processes involved in the formation and release of
electricity from water in the atmosphere.
Galembeck and his colleagues have been performing
laboratory experiments that simulate water's contact with dust particles
in the air. They used tiny particles of silica and aluminum phosphate,
both common airborne substances, showing that silica became more
negatively charged in the presence of high humidity and aluminum
phosphate became more positively charged. High humidity means high
levels of water vapor in the air - the vapor that condenses and becomes
visible as "fog" on windows of air-conditioned cars and buildings on
steamy summer days.
"This was clear evidence that water in the atmosphere
can accumulate electrical charges and transfer them to other materials
it comes into contact with," Galembeck explained. "We are calling this
'hygroelectricity,' meaning 'humidity electricity'." He proposes that it
may be possible to develop collectors, similar to solar cells that
collect sunlight, to capture hygroelectricity and route it to homes and
businesses. Just as solar cells work best in sunny areas of the world,
hygroelectrical panels would work more efficiently in areas with high
humidity.
Galembeck said that a similar approach might help
prevent lightning strikes. He envisions placing hygroelectrical panels
on top of buildings in regions that experience frequent thunderstorms.
The panels would drain electricity out of the air, and prevent the
build-up of electrical charge that is released in lightning. His
research team is testing metals to identify those with the greatest
potential for use in capturing atmospheric electricity and preventing
lightning strikes. "We certainly have a long way to go. But the benefits
in the long range of harnessing hygroelectricity could be substantial,"
Galembeck said in conclusion.
By Traffic Pulse
Source :http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100622081359.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment
Every day in this blog, our posts are flooded with help request comments from all around the world. The mad, the bad and the downright stupid.
Our dedicated team go through each and every one of these comments.
Just a very few comments actually are replying by our team. If you post url(s) to another websites even we don't approve your comment. (you can link to any page in this blog)