10 January 2024 | Yunhao Hu, Weifeng Yang, Wei Wei, Zhouquan Sun, Bo Wu, Kerui Li, Yaogang Li, Qinghong Zhang, Ru Xiao, Chengyi Hou, Hongzhi Wang
The research team has developed a sustainable moisture absorption-evaporation cycling fabric (Mac-fabric) that can generate power from the water cycle. Inspired by plant processes, Mac-fabric uses an asymmetrical structure with a moisture absorption layer, a transmission layer, and an evaporation layer. This design allows for continuous water flow through the fabric, driving ion migration and generating a sustainable and high-performance output. A single Mac-fabric unit can achieve a power output of 0.144 W/m² at 40% relative humidity (RH) and 20°C. By integrating 500 series and 300 parallel units, a large-scale demo achieved a series voltage of 350 V and a parallel current of 33.76 mA at 25% RH and 20°C. The lightweight and soft nature of Mac-fabric makes it ideal for large-area integration and energy collection. The fabric can be sewn into a tent to power commercial electronic devices in outdoor environments. The study demonstrates the potential of Mac-fabric as a versatile and sustainable energy harvesting solution.The research team has developed a sustainable moisture absorption-evaporation cycling fabric (Mac-fabric) that can generate power from the water cycle. Inspired by plant processes, Mac-fabric uses an asymmetrical structure with a moisture absorption layer, a transmission layer, and an evaporation layer. This design allows for continuous water flow through the fabric, driving ion migration and generating a sustainable and high-performance output. A single Mac-fabric unit can achieve a power output of 0.144 W/m² at 40% relative humidity (RH) and 20°C. By integrating 500 series and 300 parallel units, a large-scale demo achieved a series voltage of 350 V and a parallel current of 33.76 mA at 25% RH and 20°C. The lightweight and soft nature of Mac-fabric makes it ideal for large-area integration and energy collection. The fabric can be sewn into a tent to power commercial electronic devices in outdoor environments. The study demonstrates the potential of Mac-fabric as a versatile and sustainable energy harvesting solution.