High-efficiency ballistic electrostatic generator using microdroplets

Yanbo Xie; Diederik Bos; Lennart de Vreede; Hans L. de Boer; Mark-Jan van der Meulen; Mark-Jan van der Meulen; Michel Versluis; A.J. Sprenkels; Albert van den Berg; Jan C.T. Eijkel

doi:10.1038/ncomms4575

High-efficiency ballistic electrostatic generator using microdroplets

Yanbo Xie, Diederik Bos, Lennart de Vreede, Hans L. de Boer, Mark-Jan van der Meulen, Mark-Jan van der Meulen, Michel Versluis, A.J. Sprenkels, Albert van den Berg, Jan C.T. Eijkel

Physics of Fluids

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

61 Citations (Scopus)

133 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The strong demand for renewable energy promotes research on novel methods and technologies for energy conversion. Microfluidic systems for energy conversion by streaming current are less known to the public, and the relatively low efficiencies previously obtained seemed to limit the further applications of such systems. Here we report a microdroplet-based electrostatic generator operating by an acceleration-deceleration cycle ('ballistic' conversion), and show that this principle enables both high efficiency and compact simple design. Water is accelerated by pumping it through a micropore to form a microjet breaking up into fast-moving charged droplets. Droplet kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy when the charged droplets decelerate in the electrical field that forms between membrane and target. We demonstrate conversion efficiencies of up to 48%, a power density of 160kWm(-2) and both high- (20kV) and low- (500V) voltage operation. Besides offering striking new insights, the device potentially opens up new perspectives for low-cost and robust renewable energy conversion.

Original language	Undefined
Pages (from-to)	3575
Number of pages	5
Journal	Nature communications
Volume	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4575
Publication status	Published - 7 Apr 2014

Keywords

IR-90571
METIS-303713
EWI-24681

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This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

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abstract = "The strong demand for renewable energy promotes research on novel methods and technologies for energy conversion. Microfluidic systems for energy conversion by streaming current are less known to the public, and the relatively low efficiencies previously obtained seemed to limit the further applications of such systems. Here we report a microdroplet-based electrostatic generator operating by an acceleration-deceleration cycle ('ballistic' conversion), and show that this principle enables both high efficiency and compact simple design. Water is accelerated by pumping it through a micropore to form a microjet breaking up into fast-moving charged droplets. Droplet kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy when the charged droplets decelerate in the electrical field that forms between membrane and target. We demonstrate conversion efficiencies of up to 48%, a power density of 160kWm(-2) and both high- (20kV) and low- (500V) voltage operation. Besides offering striking new insights, the device potentially opens up new perspectives for low-cost and robust renewable energy conversion.",

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AU - Xie, Yanbo

AU - Bos, Diederik

AU - de Vreede, Lennart

AU - de Boer, Hans L.

AU - van der Meulen, Mark-Jan

AU - Versluis, Michel

AU - Sprenkels, A.J.

AU - van den Berg, Albert

AU - Eijkel, Jan C.T.

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N2 - The strong demand for renewable energy promotes research on novel methods and technologies for energy conversion. Microfluidic systems for energy conversion by streaming current are less known to the public, and the relatively low efficiencies previously obtained seemed to limit the further applications of such systems. Here we report a microdroplet-based electrostatic generator operating by an acceleration-deceleration cycle ('ballistic' conversion), and show that this principle enables both high efficiency and compact simple design. Water is accelerated by pumping it through a micropore to form a microjet breaking up into fast-moving charged droplets. Droplet kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy when the charged droplets decelerate in the electrical field that forms between membrane and target. We demonstrate conversion efficiencies of up to 48%, a power density of 160kWm(-2) and both high- (20kV) and low- (500V) voltage operation. Besides offering striking new insights, the device potentially opens up new perspectives for low-cost and robust renewable energy conversion.

AB - The strong demand for renewable energy promotes research on novel methods and technologies for energy conversion. Microfluidic systems for energy conversion by streaming current are less known to the public, and the relatively low efficiencies previously obtained seemed to limit the further applications of such systems. Here we report a microdroplet-based electrostatic generator operating by an acceleration-deceleration cycle ('ballistic' conversion), and show that this principle enables both high efficiency and compact simple design. Water is accelerated by pumping it through a micropore to form a microjet breaking up into fast-moving charged droplets. Droplet kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy when the charged droplets decelerate in the electrical field that forms between membrane and target. We demonstrate conversion efficiencies of up to 48%, a power density of 160kWm(-2) and both high- (20kV) and low- (500V) voltage operation. Besides offering striking new insights, the device potentially opens up new perspectives for low-cost and robust renewable energy conversion.

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