Can day and night temperature fluctuations generate electricity?

According to the team, this is an unprecedented source of energy, does not require sunlight, batteries or wind, but only on temperature fluctuations and can generate electricity from the atmosphere.

The temperature around us changes all the time and based on this, scientists have come up with a great idea. They created a device that converts these vibrations into electricity to supply sensors and communication devices.

Energy collection is done through a device called a heat resonator . This is a machine that absorbs heat on one side and emits heat to the other side. When both sides achieve balance, they can draw energy based on the thermal process.

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology team, this new thermoelectric resonator can power remote sensors or any non-grid device for years - just by using vibrations. temperature. This mechanism is like the rise and fall of temperature between day and night.

The device generates energy from the air.(Photo: MIT).

One of the researchers, Michael Strano, said: "We came up with a seemingly utopian idea. It was to create the first thermal resonator. This is the device that we can sit on and "For the time being, the temperature fluctuations with all the different frequencies are always around us."

Previously many scientists have tried to generate energy from temperature changes through many different techniques such as electric fire. But this new invention is more efficient than the previous device in that it can be adapted to adapt to temperature variations.

The team of scientists has actually made a step forward when combining materials to use for heat resonators: metal foam, graphene and a special wax called octadecane . This substance is capable of converting into solids or liquids when the temperature rises or falls (precisely this is a phase change material).

This can help the new device save energy optimally. It has a combination of thermal conductivity (the rate at which heat travels through the material) and heat capacity (the amount of heat that can be contained in the material). Typically, materials with high thermal conductivity are low in capacity and vice versa.

Scientists test new equipment.(Photo: MIT).

Scientists tested the device with a difference of 10 degrees in the daytime and nighttime temperatures. And they found that only a small sample of materials could produce a voltage of 350 millivolts and The power capacity is 1.3 milliwatt. This power source is enough for small sensors or communication systems to operate without batteries or any other energy source.

Furthermore, the heat resonator can operate in all weather conditions, even in the shade, as long as there are changes in ambient temperature. It can even be installed beneath solar panels to capture heat - the manufacturer said.

The next step, the team wanted to test it on other types of temperature fluctuations: for example, the switching cycle of a refrigerator or machine in industrial plants. Another potential application of it is to make a backup system to generate electricity when the main energy source stops working.

Even this new technology can be used for cruise missiles, and they will be recharged regularly based on the cycle between day and night. While the device does not produce as much energy as current batteries and grids, it can be used in many different situations.

Thanks to this new study, we know that something so familiar as the surrounding air can generate energy. Based on this, scientists can also conduct more research on locations with optimal temperature fluctuations. This research has been published in Nature Communications.