What is the device and how does it generate electricity?

The device, called the Intrusion–Extrusion Triboelectric Nanogenerator (IE-TENG), converts the mechanical action of water forced under pressure into hydrophobic nanopores in a conductive silicon monolith into electrical energy. Charge transfer occurs at the solid–liquid interface as water enters and exits the pores, with frictional interactions producing a net electron transfer and an observable electrical output.

What efficiency is reported and how significant is it?

The reported energy conversion efficiency is about 9% for this solid–liquid configuration, among the highest values reported for similar nanogenerators. The researchers achieved this by engineering silicon monoliths with conductivity, defined nanoporous architecture, and a hydrophobic surface to control water motion inside the pores and stabilize the energy conversion process.

What materials and reproducibility aspects are emphasized?

The approach relies on abundant materials—silicon and water—rather than rare or exotic components, a point the researchers emphasize to highlight reproducibility and potential scalability. Achieving a material design that combines conductivity, nanoporous structure, and hydrophobicity was identified as a critical fabrication challenge that the team addressed in their process.

What potential applications are described in the study?

Potential applications include water-detection systems, wearable biometric sensors and smart garments, athletic performance monitors, as well as haptic robotics and touch-driven sensors. Because the device converts mechanical motion of liquid directly into an electrical signal, it may enable self-powered sensors in environments where conventional power sources are impractical.

工程化硅纳米孔通过水运动发电

德国电子加速器（DESY）和汉堡工业大学（TUHH）的研究人员与 CIC energiGUNE 以及费拉拉大学（University of Ferrara）的合作者共同展示了一种摩擦纳米发电机，该设备能将水进入和退出纳米孔的机械能转化为可用的电能。

设备工作原理

该设备被称为“挤入-挤出式摩擦纳米发电机”（IE-TENG），利用了固液界面的电荷转移。当水在压力下被压入导电硅单晶块中的疏水纳米孔并随后排出时，界面处的摩擦相互作用会产生净电子转移和电输出。研究人员将这种基本效应比作常见的静电产生过程，例如在地毯上行走并在触摸金属门把手时感到轻微电击。

设计与性能

该团队研发的硅单晶块结合了导电性、明确的纳米孔结构以及疏水表面特性，以控制孔隙内的水运动并稳定能量转换过程。据报告，这种固液配置的能量转换效率约为 9%，作者表示这是同类纳米发电机中所报道的最高值之一。

材料与可重复性

研究人员强调，该方法使用的是储量丰富的材料——硅和水——而非稀有或非常规组件，他们认为这提高了可重复性并支持潜在的可扩展性。在制造过程中，实现一种同时具有导电性、纳米多孔性和疏水性的材料设计被确定为一个关键挑战，团队已在制造过程中解决了这一问题。

潜在应用

水检测系统
可穿戴生物识别传感器和智能服装
运动性能监测器
触觉机器人和触摸驱动传感器

由于该设备能将液体的机械运动直接转化为电信号，它可能使自供电传感器在传统电源不切实际的环境中成为可能。

工程化硅纳米孔通过水流运动产生电力

设备工作原理

设计与性能

材料与可重复性

潜在应用

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James Lawson

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