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Exclusive interview: The innovator extracting electricity from thin air

Exclusive interview: The innovator extracting electricity from thin air

Humidity in air could become an abundant electricity source thanks to a nanoporous material that generates power from water vapor molecules. In today’s interview, inventor Jun Yao reveals how his innovative harvester works and the potential applications if hurdles are overcome.

Also in this issue: The astronomer who wants to get serious about searching for ETs, the many impacts of CGI in movies, what makes humans unique, the world’s most enormous castles, and a new estimate for how much matter makes up the cosmos. Plus, our video feature on the solar cell material that can turn any surface into a power plant. There's so much to grab your interest this weekend.

Nanopore technology could be the key to unlocking energy from the air.

Weekly Must Read

For over a century, scientists sought ways to draw electricity from the air. A new breakthrough brings this vision closer by converting ambient humidity into renewable power. Researchers at UMass Amherst engineered nanoporous materials that generate a charge from the surrounding water vapor.

By cramming in tiny pores smaller than a wisp of hair, water molecules bump and ricochet, producing a current. Stackable and location-independent, these electricity harvesters work 24/7, unaffected by weather or daylight. They could be installed virtually anywhere, from buildings to transit hubs, and provide ubiquitous clean energy. Even remote areas well away from the grid may benefit.

This approach is particularly well-suited to agriculture, disaster response, defense, and more. While still at an early stage of development, the technology already highlights the promise of nanotech and the untapped energy all around us

As climate threats mount, novel sparks of innovation like this bring hope. But is that hope likely to become a working technology any time soon?

The story continues below...

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In our interview, inventor Jun Yao reveals how his nanoporous harvester works and hints at future applications. But he's also realistic about the monumental task of scaling up production to make millions of units.

Yet despite challenges, Yao remains driven by the possibilities. His breakthrough demonstrates a new way forward for renewable energy. Through problem-solving and adaptation, his team of researchers aim to turn this concept into a significant new source of energy.

Click below to learn more about this promising develoment and Jun Yao’s insights into how it could help solve the problem of energy generation.

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“Air-gen is 24/7 continuous, unlike other technologies that are location and time-dependent, achieving true 'ubiquitous powering.'”

Jun Yao, assistant professor at UMass Amherst

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