While Apple is working on the launch of wireless charging pads, researchers have invented a new technology with which you can charge the phone "with the air" in the room. Yes, yes, as you read.
Researchers have invented a device called an "Air-gen" that generates electricity from water vapor using natural proteins.
Generate clean and cheap energy
Electrical engineer and assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Jun Yao said he is trying to make electricity "out of thin air." Yao is joined by microbiologist and professor Derek Lovely for developing the generator.
A nanometer-scale film that is around a billionth of a meter is used in the generator. The protein cables in Air-gen are made from geobacter sulfurreducens, a microbe capable of generating electricity. The researchers attached the wires to the electrodes and the electricity is conducted using the water vapor present in the air.
Previously, existing technologies that could generate energy from moisture could only produce irregular bursts of energy that typically lasted a maximum of 50 seconds.
In tests, Air-gen successfully generated a sustained voltage of 0.5 volts across a 7-micrometer-thick film, with a current density of around 17 microamps/cm². Connecting multiple devices linearly could further amplify power generation.
Endless power for endless mobile
Air-gen produces clean energy 24/7 and is one of the most unique and surprising uses of protein nanowires. As of now, Air-gen can only supply enough power to charge small electronic devices that don't require a lot of power to run.
The developers are putting all their efforts to make it scalable for mobile phones.
The next big step towards the development of Air-gen is that the developers will test it in smart watches and fitness trackers. After that, the developer team will hope to increase Air-gen's ability to charge a phone. This will soon rule out the need for periodic charging in the near future. It won't be wrong to say that Air-gen could soon replace chargers entirely.
Mobile phone batteries are getting better with the latest releases of new smartphones. Manufacturers are also trying to decrease charging time with the help of fast charging technology. Soon wireless charging and air charging will drive wired charging out of the market.
Starting with small scale electronic devices like smartwatch and physical activity wristbands, Professor Yao aims to achieve mobile charging with Air-gen.
Source: News.com.au