New Invention Generates Electricity “Out of Thin Air” – Offers Clean Energy 24/7 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Capt. Mike · #1 02-17-2020, 02:05 PM

We live in amazing times.

If this can be scaled up, it would be incredible.

Quote:

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a device that uses a natural protein to create electricity from moisture in the air, a new technology they say could have significant implications for the future of renewable energy, climate change and in the future of medicine.

As reported today in Nature, the laboratories of electrical engineer Jun Yao and microbiologist Derek Lovley at UMass Amherst have created a device they call an “Air-gen.” or air-powered generator, with electrically conductive protein nanowires produced by the microbe Geobacter. The Air-gen connects electrodes to the protein nanowires in such a way that electrical current is generated from the water vapor naturally present in the atmosphere.

“We are literally making electricity out of thin air,” says Yao. “The Air-gen generates clean energy 24/7.” Lovely, who has advanced sustainable biology-based electronic materials over three decades, adds, “It’s the most amazing and exciting application of protein nanowires yet.”

https://scitechdaily.com/new-invention-generates-electricity-out-of-thin-air-offers-clean-energy-24-7/

Mxfrank · #2 02-17-2020, 05:05 PM

I can power a clock with a potato. The question is scale.

Diseasel300 · #3 02-17-2020, 07:38 PM

Notice that the article suspiciously leaves out the size of the device in question and the amount of power it produces. Both are extremely important factors in determining the feasibility of said device.

blt · #4 02-17-2020, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

Notice that the article suspiciously leaves out the size of the device in question and the amount of power it produces. Both are extremely important factors in determining the feasibility of said device.

That is exactly what I noticed...

Quote:

As reported today in Nature, the laboratories of electrical engineer Jun Yao and microbiologist Derek Lovley at UMass Amherst have created a device they call an “Air-gen.” or air-powered generator, with electrically conductive protein nanowires produced by the microbe Geobacter. The Air-gen connects electrodes to the protein nanowires in such a way that electrical current is generated from the water vapor naturally present in the atmosphere.

It most likely produces next to nothing, but it is a positive charge. The lack of detail is telling.

Air&Road · #5 02-17-2020, 10:44 PM

I physics you don’t get something for nothing. Solar directly captures energy from the sun. Wind energy is energy captured indirectly from the sun. Getting energy from matter is not reusable energy.

rocky raccoon · #6 02-18-2020, 08:08 AM

I know of a guy who invented a carburator that will give any car 100mpg but the oil companies killed him before he could sell it.

Capt. Mike · #7 02-18-2020, 08:16 AM

Why so hostile to basic research?

Dubyagee · #8 02-18-2020, 09:02 AM

Most people have been conditioned to react like this when new energy sources are brought up. Google Bloom box.

blt · #9 02-18-2020, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubyagee

Most people have been conditioned to react like this when new energy sources are brought up. Google Bloom box.

For good reason. Every power producing device I know converts one source of energy to another.

What is the "fuel" that is being converted to produce electricity by this device?

Dubyagee · #10 02-18-2020, 10:02 AM

I imagine is an electron transfer between the water and the matrix when contact is made. Not enough info to draw anymore than that. Scalability, by products, longevity. Who knows

Capt. Mike · #11 02-18-2020, 10:40 AM

200 years ago, photovoltaic science didn’t exist, and there were no theories, even, that would account for it.

Tell someone that you could put this thing out on a clear day, and electricity would come out of it? They would think you are crazy.

INSIDIOUS · #12 02-18-2020, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

200 years ago, photovoltaic science didn’t exist, and there were no theories, even, that would account for it.

Tell someone that you could put this thing out on a clear day, and electricity would come out of it? They would think you are crazy.

Not to mention their entire concept of electricity was about lightning and static!!

rocky raccoon · #13 02-18-2020, 01:08 PM

Every nuclear power plant provides clean energy out of thin air.

Capt. Mike · #14 02-18-2020, 03:52 PM

The electricity in a lightning bolt comes out of thin air too.

Diseasel300 · #15 02-18-2020, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

Why so hostile to basic research?

Because the crappy reporting gave no information about what kind of power this "invention" creates. Electricity has voltage and current. Voltage is potential energy, current is kinetic energy. They both matter for the feasibility of a power source. This is the reason why you can power your entire home from a generator the size of a footstool but if you covered your entire roof with photovoltaics you'd be lucky to run the refrigerator and the vacuum cleaner at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky raccoon

Every nuclear power plant provides clean energy out of thin air.

More like by splitting atoms and releasing the bonding energy in the process. Let's gloss over the toxic waste they make as part of the "clean energy" argument huh?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Mike

The electricity in a lightning bolt comes out of thin air too.

Wrong. Lightning is a result of atmospheric disturbances, driven by the sun. The entire atmosphere is a giant heat engine. The power source in the case of lightning is the sun.