IIT's researchers show that the voltage generated by a single leaf may reach to more than 150 Volts, enough to simultaneously power 100 LED light bulbs each time the leaf is touched. Hence, by simply connecting a "plug" to the plant stem, the electricity generated can be harvested and used to power electronic devices. The plant tissue acts similar to a "cable" and transports the generated electricity to other parts of the plant. These charges are then immediately transmitted into the inner plant tissue. In detail, the leaf is able to gather electric charges on its surface due to a process called contact electrification. In this last study, the research team studied plants and showed that leaves can create electricity when they are touched by a distinct material or by the wind.Ĭertain leaf structures are capable to convert mechanical forces applied at the leaf surface into electrical energy, because of the specific composition that most plant leaves naturally provide. In 2012 Barbara Mazzolai coordinated the EU funded project Plantoid, which brought to the realization of the first plant robot in the world. Bio-inspired approaches can therefore help to develop robots and technologies that are more suitable for unstructured environments than today's solutions. The research team is based at Center for Micro-Bio Robotics (CMBR) of IIT in Pontedera (Pisa, Italy), coordinated by Barbara Mazzolai, and their goal is to perform advanced research and to develop innovative methodologies, robotic technologies and new materials, inspired by the natural world. ![]() Results are published on Advanced Functional Materials.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |