Scientists transform lotus leaves into electricity generators
Technology
A team demonstrated the generator using a lotus leaf to power small devices
(Web Desk) - Chinese scientists have developed an energy generator that uses plant transpiration to produce electricity.
The hydrovoltaic electricity generation method induced by living leaf transpiration potentially turns leaves into a sustainable, continuous power source.
The Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University team demonstrated the generator using a lotus leaf to power small devices, potentially enabling plant-powered electricity networks.
“This study not only uncovers the unprecedented hydrovoltaic effect of leaf transpiration but also provides a fresh perspective for advancing green energy technologies,” the team wrote in the study paper.
Hydrovoltaic electricity is generated from the movement of water over solid surfaces, but current devices depend on a continuous water source, limiting their use to areas near rivers or dams.
However, the natural transpiration process in plants, which involves water moving from the roots to the leaves and evaporating, holds immense latent energy but has rarely been harnessed for power.
Researchers have developed a prototype device that generates electricity through transpiration using a living lotus leaf. They estimate that harvesting transpiration energy from plants globally could produce 67.5 terawatt-hours of electricity annually
The team claims that with further research and technical advancements, this method has the potential to become a commercially viable and widely used energy source.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), it offers key benefits like sustainability, environmental friendliness, and low costs, making it a promising alternative for generating electricity without reliance on large bodies of water.
Researchers highlight that a transpiration-based generator offers advantages over traditional hydrovolcanic systems, including simpler equipment, lower costs, and no need for a large water source. It could also serve as a power solution for remote areas, like farmland, without requiring extensive infrastructure.
The team developed the lotus leaf transpiration generator (LTG) by placing a titanium mesh electrode on the upper surface of a lotus leaf as the cathode and inserting a titanium needle electrode into the leaf stalk as the anode.
During transpiration, a water potential gradient forms between the stomata on the leaf’s surface and the plant’s roots. This upward water movement creates an electrical potential difference between the electrodes, allowing for continuous power generation, particularly in sunny conditions.
The device’s performance is influenced by various factors. A thicker stem diameter enhances water transport, boosting energy production, while higher temperatures increase output.
However, higher humidity reduces efficiency. For broader commercial use, challenges such as improving the power generation efficiency of a single leaf, optimizing energy collection and storage, and expanding the application scenarios must be addressed.
