Division of Materials Engineering
Research Impact
Rubber: the next generation
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Nanotechnology opens up new ways to harvest energyProfessor Mike Reece’s research group is developing new materials to transform waste heat into useful electrical energy in partnership with European Thermodynamics Ltd. Materials processing and transportation generates a large amount of waste heat energy – such as car exhaust. Yet with the right technology, this waste can become a valuable source of useful energy.
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The power of sound to generate electricityThe sounds of cars passing, people talking, even a heart beating can all be picked up by one of Dr Joe Briscoe and Dr Steve Dunn’s ‘nano-generators’, and in turn, generate an electrical charge. “In fact they love the sound of AC/DC”, says Steve. The idea of harnessing sound is just one of a number of smart solutions to our increasing demand for renewable energy sources. “Although this technology is unlikely to replace large power stations, it has many possible niche applications” Joe explains. “A version of the generator could be used in medical appliances such as pacemakers where there is no natural power source, but the heart beat is a more or less continuous vibration.” The generators could also be used to power advertising on trains and busses; or as safety sensors able to detect approaching footsteps.
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Cheap solar cells made from shrimp shells
The materials chitin and chitosan found in the shells are abundant and significantly cheaper to produce than the expensive metals such as ruthenium, which is similar to platinum, that are currently used in making nanostructured solar-cells. |