Interfacial electro-hydrodynamics inspired micro/nano-fluidic energy conversion: from mechanism to applications

Water, with its natural abundance and various forms, has been a promising sustainable energy source. To harness water energy more efficiently, interfacial electro-hydrodynamics (EHD) micro/nano-fluidic energy conversion and harvesting technologies have rapidly advanced over the past few decades. Compared to conventional water energy harvesting methods like hydroelectric dams and tidal power plants, EHD-based approaches exhibit unique advantages in capturing random, low-frequency, and intermittent fluid motions, enabling the effective harvesting of untapped energy sources such as raindrops, tides, and even ambient humidity. This review systematically summarizes the major interfacial EHD inspired micro/nano-fluidic energy harvesting and conversion strategies, providing an in-depth analysis of their working principles, design principles for enhancing electric output, and their potential applications that mainly include power sources and self-powered devices. Furthermore, we highlight the key challenges facing this field and discuss future research directions and breakthroughs required to facilitate the feasibility and scalability of EHD-based energy harvesting and conversion systems. With continued advancements, these technologies offer significant promise for transitioning from laboratory research to practical applications, providing sustainable and distributed energy solutions.