Accidental Discovery Unveils Revolutionary Energy Generation from Thin Air

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst accidentally discovered a way to generate a small electrical current from humid air while working on a sensor for humidity. The researchers found that an array of microscopic tubes produced an electrical signal without power. They have since developed a methodology to test nanopores and created a device the size of a thumbnail that can generate a single microwatt of power. While still in the early stages, this hygroelectric power system has the potential for various applications and could provide an alternative to nonrenewable energy sources.