Researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University claim that they have invented a new graphene-based battery that runs solely on ambient heat. If this is confirmed, it could lead the way towards a clean, continuous and limitless source of power!
The new battery electrodes harvest energy from ions in a solution - that move at room temperature. The thermal energy of these ions can reach several kilojoules per kilogram per Kelvin. The researchers used silver and gold electrodes connected to a strip of graphene, and a copper chloride solution. Six of these devices in series can produce a voltage of over 2 V - enough to drive a red LED.
This research is currently going through peer-review, and meanwhile the researchers are improving the power output and also further investigate its mechanisms.
