- Interesting Engineering Originals
- Posts
- Exclusive interview: The innovator extracting electricity from thin air
Exclusive interview: The innovator extracting electricity from thin air
Exclusive interview: The innovator extracting electricity from thin air
Humidity in air could become an abundant electricity source thanks to a nanoporous material that generates power from water vapor molecules. In today’s interview, inventor Jun Yao reveals how his innovative harvester works and the potential applications if hurdles are overcome.
Also in this issue: The astronomer who wants to get serious about searching for ETs, the many impacts of CGI in movies, what makes humans unique, the world’s most enormous castles, and a new estimate for how much matter makes up the cosmos. Plus, our video feature on the solar cell material that can turn any surface into a power plant. There's so much to grab your interest this weekend.
Weekly Must Read
For over a century, scientists sought ways to draw electricity from the air. A new breakthrough brings this vision closer by converting ambient humidity into renewable power. Researchers at UMass Amherst engineered nanoporous materials that generate a charge from the surrounding water vapor.
By cramming in tiny pores smaller than a wisp of hair, water molecules bump and ricochet, producing a current. Stackable and location-independent, these electricity harvesters work 24/7, unaffected by weather or daylight. They could be installed virtually anywhere, from buildings to transit hubs, and provide ubiquitous clean energy. Even remote areas well away from the grid may benefit.
This approach is particularly well-suited to agriculture, disaster response, defense, and more. While still at an early stage of development, the technology already highlights the promise of nanotech and the untapped energy all around us.
As climate threats mount, novel sparks of innovation like this bring hope. But is that hope likely to become a working technology any time soon?
The story continues below...
Read More
AND ANOTHER THING
VIDEO OF THE DAY
MIT makes a super thin solar cell that can turn any surface into a power plant
MIT engineers have developed an ultralight fabric solar cell that can transform virtually any surface into a power source. Here’s how they work.
Weekly Must Read
In our interview, inventor Jun Yao reveals how his nanoporous harvester works and hints at future applications. But he's also realistic about the monumental task of scaling up production to make millions of units.
Yet despite challenges, Yao remains driven by the possibilities. His breakthrough demonstrates a new way forward for renewable energy. Through problem-solving and adaptation, his team of researchers aim to turn this concept into a significant new source of energy.
Click below to learn more about this promising develoment and Jun Yao’s insights into how it could help solve the problem of energy generation.
Read More
“Air-gen is 24/7 continuous, unlike other technologies that are location and time-dependent, achieving true 'ubiquitous powering.'”
Jun Yao, assistant professor at UMass Amherst
Need help with advertising? Reach 150,000 engineering and tech professionals. Contact us
what else?
⚙️ To explore the wonders of mechanical engineering, get your Gears in Motion
🔷 For all the week’s top engineering stories, subscribe to the Vital Component
🧑🏻🔧 For expert advice on engineering careers, subscribe to Engineer Pros
🧠 New: To get the latest AI news every Monday, subscribe to AI Logs
🎬 For a weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos, subscribe to IE Originals
© Copyright 2023 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 530 Fifth Ave, 9th floor New York, NY 10036, USA All Rights Reserved
You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage your e-mail preferences here. Unsubscribe from our emails here. See our full privacy policy or terms of conditions.