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Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Preparation of Liquid Crystal Networks for Macroscopic Oscillatory Motion Induced by Light
Published on: September 20, 2017
Humidity-induced dynamic coordination drives the oscillatory migration of ions for sustainable energy harvesting
Xulei Lu1, Jialin Liu2, Chunqiao Fu1
1Tribology Research Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Moisture-induced ion diffusion in nanostructured materials is a promising route for high-performance power generation, yet achieving the continuous ion migration necessary for long-term operation remains challenging. Here, we report a moisture-electricity conversion mechanism capable of sustained electrical output. We demonstrate that humidity fluctuations regulate the dynamic coordination between iodide ions (I-) and iodine molecules (I2), driving the oscillatory migration of I- to generate a continuous alternating ion current (AC). Crucially, this coordination process avoids charge exchange, while electricity generation is achieved through moisture-driven ion transport. The device achieves a current output of 33.2 µA cm-² and exhibits sustainable performance recovery under natural humidity fluctuations. This mechanism remains effective even under minimal humidity gradients (13% RH), ensuring adaptability to diverse weather conditions. Our strategy, applicable to various gel materials, utilizes environmental humidity fluctuations as a power source for ion diffusion, offering a fundamental solution for long-term, autonomous energy harvesting.
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