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Electrokinetic power generation by means of streaming potentials: a mobile-ion-drain method to increase the streaming
Jun Yang1, Fuzhi Lu, Larry W Kostiuk
1Nanoscale Technology and Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G8, Canada.
Abstract:
We show, by natural occurring phenomena of charge separation near the solid-liquid interface in microchannels, that electricity can be generated by forcing water through a ceramic rod with no moving part and emission. A single hand push on a syringe is our source of power which easily generates a streaming potential of over 20 V and a streaming current of 30 microA. By means of streaming potentials, two capacitors were charged and discharged alternatively to light-up two Light-Emitting-Diodes in every ten seconds. From our specific choice of liquid/solid pair, an efficiency of 0.8% was obtained. A mobile-ion-drain method is also demonstrated to increase the streaming potential.
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