3D Printed Energy Harvesters
In our neverending quest to understand the applications of our most popular material, Electrically Conductive PLA, we are often stymied by trade secrets and proprietary information. We were delighted to see our product in action at 2023's inaugural Rocky Mountain RepRap Festival. The research conducted by the students at UC Boulder was truly fascinating, and inspiring to see our bestseller being put to practical use! You can check out Sandra Bae's research here, and more of the work being done at the Utility Research Lab at UC Boulder.
Around this same time, our customer Leo N.Y. Cao reached out to share his research with our Conductive PLA. His work has really taken off, and while we haven't seen it in person, we're excited to share his progress with you!
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) are energy-harvesting devices that convert mechanical energy into electricity. Leo's specific research involves a print-in-place device to house PTFE microbeads capable of generating up to 3000V and power up to 1000 LEDs. Check out his work here!
Applications include the harvesting of energy from the environment, such wind and water, mechanical energy producing by humans (shaking or rattling), or capturing the energy produced by ambient vibration, such as in a car or train. While much of this is well beyond our comprehension, we're excited to share the research with you. Below we've provided access to numerous papers and publications showcasing the work of the TENG inventor, Zhong Lin Wang, and his nanoscience research group:
Flexible triboelectric generator
Digital mapping of surface turbulence status and aerodynamic stall on wings of a flying aircraft
Application of triboelectric nanogenerator in fluid dynamic sensing: past and future
We can't wait to see what you do next, Leo!
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For more information about how our Conductive PLA is being used, check out these blasts from the past:
