Challenge to improve the efficiency of a droplet-based electricity generator by controlling the surface and interface and its application to solar cells that generate electricity even in the rain

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K18807
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 21:Electrical and electronic engineering and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Usami Noritaka 名古屋大学, 工学研究科, 教授 (20262107)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 水滴発電 / 太陽電池

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We aimed to clarify the guidelines for improving the efficiency of droplet-based electricity generators and to demonstrate the operation of solar modules capable of generating electricity even in the rain. We showed the effectiveness of increasing the surface area by processing the substrate surface, using high surface charge density amorphous fluororesin, composites with ferroelectric nanoparticles, and reducing parasitic capacitance by improving electrode shape to enhance the performance of droplet-based electricity generators. By covering the surface electrodes with a protective film, we demonstrated both long-term reliability and the ability to generate electricity even without direct contact between water droplets and electrodes. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrated the capability of generating electricity from both water droplets and sunlight by installing droplet-based electricity generators fabricated on a glass substrate on top of solar cells.

Free Research Field

電気・電子材料工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、水滴発電デバイスの高性能化研究を進め、得られたデバイスと太陽電池と融合することにより雨でも発電可能な太陽電池の動作を実証した。デバイスの動作原理の理解に基づき、材料選択、構造や形状パラメータの決定指針などを明確化したに学術的意義がある。また、雨でも発電できる太陽電池が実現できれば、天候の影響を緩和して電力を供給することができるため、新たな市場開拓や再生可能エネルギーの利用拡大に貢献できる。これは、地球温暖化や環境汚染などの問題に対処するための重要な一歩といえ、その社会的意義は大きい。