Multiphysics‐Enabled Liquid State Thermal Harvesting: Synergistic Effects between Pyroelectricity and Triboelectrification

Abstract

Energy consumption levels show a never‐ending increase since the industrial era. Toward sustainability objectives, it is of outstanding importance to reduce the amount of wasted energy, that typically comes as waste heat, as a consequence of nonunitary efficiency of any thermodynamic process. Herein, a breakthrough in conversion of low enthalpy heat into electricity is presented, based on a liquid state device that operates through multiphysics effects: thermomagnetic advection, triboelectricity, pyroelectricity, and Ludwig–Sorét effect. A synergistic interaction between ferroelectric surfaces and a complex composition colloidal suspension is evidenced, owing to an enhancement of the generated potential of 365% in comparison with pyroelectric effect and 267% in comparison with triboelectric effect, while the current extracted is 54% higher than the pyroelectric effect only and the power extracted by induction remains substantially unperturbed. The impact of this technology on society is also analyzed, on the basis of a set of practical applications, by means of a computational analysis.

Reply to Comment on ‘The magnetic body force in ferrofluids’

“…As we have recently shown in our most recent experiments, the FF can be electrically polarized, in particular as a consequence of the triboelectrification of its 'brush-like' oleic acid components [6]. The triboelectrification can be triggered by internal/external friction with the walls of the chamber/pipeline where the FF is confined.…”

“…The triboelectrification can be triggered by internal/external friction with the walls of the chamber/pipeline where the FF is confined. Furthermore, even though from a chemical point of view a standard hydrocarbonbased FF is an insulator, currents in the order of tens of nA have been measured [6], meaning that the condition of nonconductive materials must be also dropped. Therefore, it is evident why the model suggested by the authors [5] 'exceeds the actual total force by a large factor' (with reference to page 2, lines 19-21 of the Comment).…”

The magnetic body force in ferrofluids

“…The transient recorded on current density profiles, while the fluid velocity was controlled and shaped as a square wave signal in the range between 1 and 10 mm s −1 , shows competing phenomena: after reaching a maximum value, the current promptly decreases by 30% and then slowly increases again, stabilizing at 90% of its maximum value [32]. We know that the curl of magnetic field strength cannot change over time, as magnetic field is static.…”

A Self-Powered Multifunctional Bracelet for Pulse Monitoring and Personal Rescue

“…Compared with solar energy [11][12][13], wind energy [14][15][16][17], or thermal energy [18][19][20], the mechanical energy from the human body can be used as an effective energy source anytime and anywhere without being limited by the environment and weather [21]. An electromagnetic generator (EMG) has been used up to now due to its high conversion efficiency and reliability [22], but it also has some limitations such as a large volume and weight, and low output voltage under low frequency conditions [23].…”