[This text was generated using artificial intelligence (GPT-3) and underwent subsequent human editing to ensure accuracy.]
Scales of Rohu fish were used as a dielectric layer in the generator. Credit: Biswa1992 / Alamy Stock Photo
Researchers in India have developed a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) using scales of Rohu fish as a dielectric layer1. The generator can provide durable, long-lasting, and cost-efficient energy to remotely connected computing devices.
The researchers, including those from the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences at Panjab University in Chandigarh, collected the scales from local fish markets. They washed the transparent, flexible, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible scales in distilled water and ethanol to remove unwanted organic matter. The scales were then cut into 1 cm x 1 cm pieces and pasted on copper tape electrodes. Output copper wires were connected to the opposite sides of both electrodes and attached to a digital storage oscilloscope or a digital precision multimeter.
Other biomaterials, such as tree cotton, dog hairs and eggshell membranes were used to compare the fish scales’ triboelectric behavior.
The researchers used techniques, such as SEM, EDX, FTIR, and XRD, to determine the scales’ composition and surface pattern, because triboelectricity generation depends on this morphology.
The device produced 180V to light up 90 green LEDs and power a digital calculator and other devices. Wearable flexible smart sensors, electronics, and medical devices could be charged by this motion-powered nanogenerator.
This approach is eco-friendly and cost-effective, with the potential for self-powered sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The study provides an innovative way to use waste materials for energy harvesting applications.
