Revolutionary Device Generates Electricity from Humidity and Waste Heat

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst have developed a tiny device that generates electricity from the air's humidity. The device involves two electrodes and a thin layer of material with tiny holes less than 100 nanometers in diameter. As water molecules pass through the device, they create an electric charge imbalance between the layered chambers, making the device run like a battery. The device can be made from nearly any substance, such as wood or silicon, as long as it can be punctured with the ultra-small holes. While the device currently only generates a fraction of a volt, the researchers hope it can become a practical, sustainable source of power.