| Summary: |
I.nano.WEC aims to develop the first marine buoy prototype integrating highly efficient energy harvesting systems based on triboelectric nanogenerators. This achievement could foster the continuous monitoring of environmental and human activities in remote oceanic locations, enabling the long-term deployment of energetically autonomous systems for the aquaculture, signalling or metocean markets.
The recent realization of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a novel technology that can efficiently harvest low amplitude, low frequency wave energy, marks a rupture from present energy harvesting systems based on costly and low efficient photovoltaic technology. In this project, a composite modelling approach, combining numerical simulations and experimental testing in a multidirectional wave basin, is used as the foundation for the development and optimization of an energy harvesting system integrated in marine buoys based on triboelectric materials. TENGs will be developed based on state-of-the-art materials and nanofabrication techniques optimized to withstand the harsh Ocean environment.
The triboelectric effect is related with the build-up of static charges when two materials are rubbed together with power densities above 500 W/m2 being generated. By doping and texturizing with nano-features the triboelectric materials one expects to further enhance this value. To harvest wave energy we will then initially consider a sealed prototype based on a Coordinator's proprietary design.
To realize i.nano.WEC's ambition, it is necessary to characterize the offshore wave conditions and to evaluate numerically several concepts in order to: (i) study the hydrodynamic behavior of the floating devices, (ii) analyze their mooring systems, (iii) define which TENG best fulfils the power generation versus power consumption requirements and (iv) establish control strategies.
Scaled models of the most promising concepts will be studied and optimized in a laborator  |
Summary
I.nano.WEC aims to develop the first marine buoy prototype integrating highly efficient energy harvesting systems based on triboelectric nanogenerators. This achievement could foster the continuous monitoring of environmental and human activities in remote oceanic locations, enabling the long-term deployment of energetically autonomous systems for the aquaculture, signalling or metocean markets.
The recent realization of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), a novel technology that can efficiently harvest low amplitude, low frequency wave energy, marks a rupture from present energy harvesting systems based on costly and low efficient photovoltaic technology. In this project, a composite modelling approach, combining numerical simulations and experimental testing in a multidirectional wave basin, is used as the foundation for the development and optimization of an energy harvesting system integrated in marine buoys based on triboelectric materials. TENGs will be developed based on state-of-the-art materials and nanofabrication techniques optimized to withstand the harsh Ocean environment.
The triboelectric effect is related with the build-up of static charges when two materials are rubbed together with power densities above 500 W/m2 being generated. By doping and texturizing with nano-features the triboelectric materials one expects to further enhance this value. To harvest wave energy we will then initially consider a sealed prototype based on a Coordinator's proprietary design.
To realize i.nano.WEC's ambition, it is necessary to characterize the offshore wave conditions and to evaluate numerically several concepts in order to: (i) study the hydrodynamic behavior of the floating devices, (ii) analyze their mooring systems, (iii) define which TENG best fulfils the power generation versus power consumption requirements and (iv) establish control strategies.
Scaled models of the most promising concepts will be studied and optimized in a laboratory environment. In addition, foresight studies on other potential applications of the TENGs technology in the offshore and coastal domains will be done and a strong business plan will be developed to the market segments with the highest potential (e.g., aquaculture; ocean monitoring equipment). The outcomes of the i.nano.WEC project will constitute a key resource for the strategic development of the marine economy and the Portuguese extended Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). |
| Results: |
Os principais resultados do projeto i.nano.WEC podem ser resumidos em:
• Produto comercializável para conversão da energia das ondas, baseado em nanogeradores triboelétricos, que podem ser integrados numa ampla gama de bóias e outras estruturas flutuantes, capazes de produzir energia para consumo local e outros usos;
• Prova de conceito experimental de todos os sistemas desenvolvidos e sua otimização, tendo em conta as características e as restrições impostas pelas aplicações selecionadas, nomeadamente: aquicultura, bóias de sinalização e monitorização;
• Materiais triboelétricos melhorados, selecionados com base na sua separação na série triboelétrica, texturizados à nanoescala usando técnicas económicas visando a geração de energia elétrica (valores acima de 100 V, 0,1 mA e 0,1 W). |