Integrated manufacturing of REciclable multi-material COmposites for the TRANSport sector
High?Performance Double?Drive Water Evaporation?Induced Generator Operating Without Liquid Water Sources
A unique double?drive WEG (DWEG) is developed with excellent electrical output performance (>1 V, >1 µA cm?2) in multiple water sources and unveil the corresponding double?drive operation mechanism. Not limited to liquid water sources, DWEG can also generate sustainable electricity through the spontaneous harvesting of minimal water from the soil, even in low?temperature (?12 °C) environments.Restricted electrical output and the heavy reliance on liquid water sources severely limit the further development of water evaporation?induced generators (WEGs) based on the inherently slow phase transition of water molecules. Here, inspired by the rolling logs to transport boulders, a double?drive WEG (DWEG) is developed, in which double ionic circulations and ion?electronic friction provide intensive horsepower and grip for energy capture. DWEGs applied in deionized water can continuously generate a high voltage of 1.13 V and a stable current of 10.54 µA (1.76 µA cm?2) under ambient conditions (?20 °C, ?43% RH). In addition, benefiting from the high osmotic pressure and mechanical strength of ionized composite hydrogels, DWEGs can be directly plugged into soil with minimal water (as little as 12.5 wt.%) to generate electricity, eliminating the reliance on a liquid water source. Interestingly, a high electrical output (0.65 V, 0.89 µA) is sustained (>60 h) at low?temperature (e.g., ?12 °C), overcoming the temporal and geographical restrictions of conventional WEGs in their practical applications.
» Publication Date: 13/08/2025
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement Nº 768737
