Humanity is constantly trying to find alternative ways of producing energy. And sometimes inventions, proposed by scientists, seem extremely unusual. For example, researchers from Fudan University (China) has created a power generator able to produce energy from the blood flowing in blood vessels.
The basis of the invention are carbon nanotubes. Chinese researchers headed by Huisheng Panel developed a fiber thickness of about 1 millimeter. The principle of operation of the device is as follows. Carbon nanotubes cover the entire surface of the core devices based on polymer fibers. The core is called “Volokolamsky liquid nanogenerator” (fiber-shaped fluidic nanogenerator, FFNG).
If connected with electrodes and placed in saline or ordinary tap water, it will start to generate electricity. This happens because around fiber created the electric double layer and the current solution distorts the symmetric charge distribution. The efficiency of the output power of this system was quite high. Compared to other types of such miniature devices, FFNG was 20% more effective. The advantages also include good elasticity and the ability to adjust the length of the nanofibers.
According to the creators, FFNG is the best option for use in wearable electronics and medicine as sensors that collect energy from the blood flow. On assurances of authors, the first phase of testing FFNG on frogs has been successful.
China has learned to produce electricity with the help of blood flow
Vladimir Kuznetsov