Globally, over 25 million tonnes of single-use polystyrene are produced annually, with only a small fraction recycled, most ending up in landfills. Developed by RMIT University in collaboration with Riga Technical University, this invention provides a valuable purpose for this waste material. A provisional patent has been filed, and RMIT is seeking industry partners to commercialize this technology.
The project’s lead researcher, Dr. Peter Sherrell of RMIT, described the device as a layered, ultra-thin patch of polystyrene - each layer roughly one-tenth the thickness of human hair - that generates static electricity. “With air blowing over these patches, we can harvest static electricity and repurpose that energy,” said Dr. Sherrell. The turbulent airflow from air conditioning exhaust could be collected, potentially reducing energy demand by up to 5%, thereby lowering the system's carbon footprint.
During testing, the patch generated a peak voltage of about 230 volts - comparable to household mains voltage but at a lower power. Dr. Sherrell noted that larger energy outputs come from high-speed compressions, while smaller movements produce less energy. The patch’s utility could extend to high-traffic areas, like underground walkways, offering supplementary local energy without burdening the grid.
Dr. Sherrell added that additional polystyrene layers could boost energy capture, and the material’s longevity makes it a durable option for long-term energy generation, as polystyrene resists breakdown for hundreds of years.
Published in Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research, this project demystifies static electricity at the nanoscale, revealing how controlled rubbing between layers of reformed polystyrene aligns charges to generate electricity. By studying various plastics, the team has optimized design features like surface texture and thickness to maximize energy output.
Looking forward, RMIT and its collaborators are focusing on device development for commercial applications.
The research supporting the static electricity invention has been published in Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research.
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