1. Home
  2. / Science and Technology
  3. / New discovery by US scientists allows electrical energy to be extracted from the air
reading time 3 min read

New discovery by US scientists allows electrical energy to be extracted from the air

Written by Roberta Souza
Published 28/05/2023 às 21:06
Updated 29/05/2023 às 16:42
usa, energy, electric
Reproduction. Source: Technological Innovation

The new discovery in the US drives the creation of a new way of generating clean energy and contributes to the energy transition

In what may be a pioneering advance in the search for sustainable energy sources, scientists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, in the United States, have revealed an innovative process capable of extracting electrical energy directly from the air we breathe. The research, recently released by the Advanced Materials portal in the US, highlights the presence of moisture in the air as a vast reservoir of water and clean energy, paving the way for a new way of generating clean and renewable electricity, according to the CNN website..

The inspiration for this revolutionary process for generating electricity in the US comes from clouds, which are masses of energy-charged water droplets capable of generating electrical lightning under specific conditions. Recognizing this natural dynamic, US scientists have developed the so-called “Generic Air Generation Effect”, a process that aims to capture the electricity present in water droplets in the air.

The key to the success of this method of extracting water from the air for the production of renewable electrical energy in the US lies in the construction of nanopores, lowercase holes with diameters smaller than 100 nanometers. These nanopores are like tiny openings, a thousand times smaller than a human hair, designed to allow the passage of water from the air and facilitate a dynamic exchange of adsorption and desorption. This interaction results in the surface loading of the material that houses the nanopores, generating a imbalance of electrical charges.

Equipment developed by the US to capture clean electric power generation

The equipment, developed in the USA, resembling an artificial cloud, can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials. Its function is to provide a continuous and controlled production of clean electricity. The water molecules, in constant movement inside the equipment, feed the imbalance of electrical charges, behaving like a battery that remains operating as long as moisture is available in the air.

US scientists describe this idea as simple but promising. After all, humidity is always present in our atmosphere, offering a inexhaustible source of electrical energy. This approach would solve the challenges faced by other clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, which depend on specific weather conditions, such as strong winds or intense solar radiation, to generate electricity.

Reducing dependency on non-renewable systems

In addition to its promise as a continuous and reliable source of energy, extracting electricity from the air also offers an additional advantage: the reduction of dependence on scarce and non-renewable resources. By harnessing an abundant and accessible resource such as atmospheric moisture, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint and move towards a more sustainable future.

Although still in the experimental phase, this US discovery has the potential to revolutionize the global clean energy industry. Scientists are now dedicated to improving and optimizing this process in order to make it feasible to implement it on a commercial scale.

Roberta Souza

Petroleum Engineer, postgraduate in Commissioning of Industrial Units, specialist in Industrial Corrosion. Get in touch to suggest an agenda, advertise job vacancies or advertise on our portal. We do not receive resumes

Share across apps