The mini-generator of electrical
energy exploiting Marangoni soluto-capillary
flows is reported. The interfacial flows are created by molecules
of camphor emitted by the “camphor engines” placed on
floating polymer rotors bearing permanent magnets. Camphor molecules
adsorbed by the water/vapor interface decrease its surface tension
and create the stresses resulting in the rotation of the system. The
alternative magnetic flux in turn creates the current in the stationary
coil. The long-lasting nature of rotation (approximately 10–20
h) should be emphasized. The brake-specific fuel consumption of the
reported generator is better than that reported for the best reported
electrical generators. Various engineering implementations of the
mini-generator are reported.
Spiral thermal surface waves arising from self-propulsion of the camphor-driven objects are reported. Spiral thermal waves were registered for dissolution and evaporation-guided self-propulsion. Soluto-capillarity is accompanied by thermo-capillarity under self-propulsion of camphor boats. The jump in the surface tension due to the soluto-capillarity is much larger than that due to the thermo-capillarity. The spiral patterns inherent for the surface thermal waves are imposed by the self-rotational motion of camphor grains. The observed thermal effect is related to the adsorption of camphor molecules at the water/vapor interface. The observed spirals are shaped as Archimedean ones.
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