Sound idea

摘要

Researchers have developed a device that uses sound to generate an electrical charge, a development that could see mobile phones recharged by everyday background noise. The proof-of-concept device from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) uses the piezoelectric properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods to harvest energy from vibration and movement. To make the device, ZnO nanoparticles are sprayed onto a plastic surface, which is then placed into a solution containing hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and heated to 90℃. The hexagonal nanorods then grow from that layer of ZnO particles to cover the whole surface. The team then used aluminium foil to form the electrical contacts. Furthermore, the coating can be applied to a range of surfaces.