Energy harvesting

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Electrochemical processes show a unique interaction with the surrounding environment. In particular, the interactions of the electrical double-layer with the environment allow us to tap into (1) chemical concentration energy and (2) thermal gradients. By this way, we can use interfacial electrochemistry for energy harvesting.

Further reading:

    • A. Härtel, M. Janssen, D. Weingarth, V. Presser, R. van Roij, Heat-to-current conversion of low-grade heat from a thermocapacitive cycle by supercapacitors, Energy & Environmental Science 8(8) (2015) 2396-2401. (Link)
    • S. Porada, D. Weingarth, H.V.M. Hamelers, M. Bryjak, V. Presser, P.M. Biesheuvel, Carbon flow electrodes for continuous operation of capacitive deionization and capacitive mixing energy generation, Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2(24) (2014) 9313-9321. (Link)
    • B.B. Sales, O. Burheim, S. Porada, V. Presser, C.J.N. Buisman, H.V.M. Hamelers, Extraction of energy from small thermal differences near room temperature using capacitive membrane technology, Environmental Science & Technology Letters 1(9) (2014) 356-360. (Link)