Energy scavenging nano tech generates energy from everything
We have an abundance of energy, and now we have the tech to tap into it - no matter where it is.
Key takeaways
- Next the team plan on developing their TENG’s from cheap and sustainable materials that can push them to even higher energy efficiencies.
- The researchers, with colleagues at the University of Technology Sydney and elsewhere, are working to improve power generation of TENGs and store the generated power on supercapacitor or battery.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2020) 'Energy scavenging nano tech generates energy from everything', 311 Institute, 11 November. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/energy-scavenging-nano-tech-generates-energy-from-everything/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Imagine a mobile phone charger that doesn't need a wireless or mains power source, like this one that was created a couple of years ago that’s powered using nothing more than backscatter radiation from the air, or this one that could power itself using nothing more than vibrations from your voice. Or a pacemaker that harvests electricity directly from the human body... and crazily even directly from your bloodstream.
This is the kind of research Australian researchers at Flinders University have been focusing on while picking up the challenge of finding new ways to scavenge the invisible power from the low-frequency vibrations in the surrounding environment – whether that’s from the wind, air, sound waves, radio waves, or even static electricity.
"These so called Triboelectric Nanogenerators (or TENGs) can be made at low cost and in different configurations making them perfect for powering small electronics such as personal electronics, biomechanical devices like pacemakers, sensors, and more," says Professor Youhong Tang who led the research.
Next the team plan on developing their TENG’s from cheap and sustainable materials that can push them to even higher energy efficiencies.
"They can use non-invasive materials, so could one day be used for implantable and wearable energy harvesting aims," says Ph.D. candidate Mohammad Khorsand, co-lead author on recent papers in international journal Nano Energy.
The latest paper uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhanced mathematical modelling to compare the function of the number of segments, rotational speed and tribo-surface spacing of an advanced TENG prototype to optimize the storage and performance.
The researchers, with colleagues at the University of Technology Sydney and elsewhere, are working to improve power generation of TENGs and store the generated power on supercapacitor or battery.
"We have been able to effectively harvest power from sliding movement and rotary motion which are abundantly available in our living environment," says Professor Tang.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
We have an abundance of energy, and now we have the tech to tap into it - no matter where it is.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Flinders University flinders.edu.au
- University of Technology Sydney uts.edu.au
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 11 November 2020. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2020). Energy scavenging nano tech generates energy from everything. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/energy-scavenging-nano-tech-generates-energy-from-everything/
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